[2] It looks very similar to the rock-boring urchin Echinometra lucunter, but the dark tips and the greater length of the spines are distinctive.

It emerges at night to feed by grazing on algae with its five teeth, part of the Aristotle's lantern organ that surrounds its mouth.

[4] Researchers have studied the likely effect on the reef urchin of a rise in the carbon dioxide levels which are likely to increase ocean acidification by the end of the 21st century.

It was found that the urchins would be negatively impacted because of decreased calcification, lowering their ability to build their tests, especially during winter and in the more northerly parts of their range.

It is unable to take over the algal controlling role of the black sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) which is subject to great fluctuations in population.