How big is the Flower urchin?

Flower urchin (Toxopneustes pileolus) reaches 10–15 cm in length.

At what depth can you find the Flower urchin?

Flower urchin is found between 0–90 m deep.

What is the conservation status of the Flower urchin?

IUCN status: Least concern (LC).

Where can you find the Flower urchin?

Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.

Flower urchin (Toxopneustes pileolus)

Key facts

Scientific name: Toxopneustes pileolus
Common name: Flower urchin
Category: Echinoderms
Family: Toxopneustidae
Genus: Toxopneustes
Size: 10–15 cm
Depth: 0–90 m
IUCN status: Least concern (LC)
Danger level: Harmless
Habitats: coral-reef, sand
Behaviours: benthic, venomous
Ocean zones: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea

Description

Toxopneustes pileolus reaches 15 cm. Urchin with deceptively cute appearance: pinkish test covered not with spines but with glandular pedicellariae shaped as small white-pink flowers (stellate), each flower being a three-valved venomous jaw. One of the world's most dangerous urchins, proteinous venom (contractin, peditoxin) causing intense pain, paralysis and rare deaths in divers who handled. Lives from 0 to 90 m on coral reefs and sands of tropical Indo-Pacific. Listed LC. Absolute distance photo subject.

Photo of Flower urchin

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Flower urchin?: Flower urchin (Toxopneustes pileolus) reaches 10–15 cm in length.
At what depth can you find the Flower urchin?: Flower urchin is found between 0–90 m deep.
Is the Flower urchin dangerous to divers?: Danger level: Harmless.
What is the conservation status of the Flower urchin?: IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
Where can you find the Flower urchin?: Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.

Other species in the family Toxopneustidae

Sources

Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 212449)
Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 4341617)
Conservation: IUCN Red List
Encyclopedia: Wikipedia