It is found in very shallow parts of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

It is sometimes found among seagrasses and often under rock slabs or broken coral especially in places with high water movement.

It sometimes occurs in large numbers and causes considerable damage to coral reefs through its boring activities.

[2] Echinometra lucunter uses the teeth that surround its mouth to grind away at the rock underneath it so as to make a hemispherical depression in which it takes refuge during the day.

The king helmet shell (Cassis tuberosa) feeds on it and several species of small goby conceal themselves underneath its test.