Sea urchins are spiny sea creatures that can be found in almost every saltwater body in the world.These spiky balls may look imposing, and that is rightly so, as coming into contact with their spines can lead to a host of problems! Though most species aren’t venomous, accidentally stepping on sea urchin spines can break off inside the body and cause deep puncture wounds, which are prone to infection and can cause a lot of pain.Out of the many species of sea urchin, there do exist a number of venomous ones as well, which can cause long-term injuries and severe symptoms such as nausea, paralysis, respiratory problems, or even death! These animals have small venomous mouths on their body, between their spines. Their spines may also be venomous in a few cases. In the event that you do step on a sea urchin, seek immediate medical treatment in order to reduce any damage that may be caused.If you enjoyed this article, do check out our other pages on green sea urchin facts and are salamanders poisonous?What happens if you step on a sea urchin?Sea urchins have a natural defense system, their hard, spiky bodies. They have a hard outer covering that has long sharp spines, which can break of when a person steps on them. Though these spines may not be poisonous, they can embed themselves deep into a person’s foot and cause a lot of pain until they are removed.Another defense mechanism possessed by sea urchins is their poisonous jaws called pedicellariae. They may use these to clamp onto an intruder’s body and release venom, which can cause infection or even death if it reaches the bloodstream.What kind of sea urchins are poisonous?Around 80 species of sea urchin are known to be toxic. Out of these, some venomous sea urchins are the Echinothuridae (leather urchin), Toxopneustes (flower urchin), and Tripneustes (white sea urchin) species. Though the spines of the animals themselves are mostly not poisonous, they have tiny mouths called pedicellariae between the spines, which clamp onto the foot and release venom through their tiny teeth. If the spines of these creatures are poisonous, they will be hollow in the middle and sharp at the tip for envenomation of the subject. These species are mostly found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and in any surrounding islands, though they are present in almost every saltwater body in the world.Despite being venomous, sea urchins are not poisonous and are actually considered a delicacy in many parts of the world such as Hawaii, Japan, and Croatia. These creatures are abundantly available off the shores of these regions, and the fleshy part inside of the hard, spiky shell is relished by the locals and tourists alike when prepared well. Out of around 950 sea urchin species, 18 of them are edible and are eaten for their buttery, delicate taste.Can sea urchins survive out of water?Though most sea urchins cannot survive out of the water, there are a few varieties such as the shingle urchin (Colobocentrotus atratus), which makes it home on exposed shores and can indeed survive for many hours out of the water.Sea urchins are also only able to live in marine environments, they cannot survive in freshwater. Most sea urchins are found on exposed shorelines or in shallow pools, which is why it is important to be very vigilant when exiting the ocean. They can be found in rocky pools, near coral reefs, reef zones, and wet sand. These spiny creatures have a surprisingly long lifespan, and most individuals are known to live for 100, even 200 years without any significant signs of aging! Their internal organs are quite unique as well, and they do not seem to possess a heart.How long does a sea urchin sting hurt?The treatment for non-venomous sea urchin wounds can be done at home, though it is advised to visit a medical professional. Normal puncture wounds caused by stepping on a sea urchin are very painful and will hurt for about six hours if all the pieces are extracted. However, this depends on the type of sea urchin the wound came from as well. After the pain subsides, the area may be sore for a period of time. Sea urchin injuries are very painful and the affected area will swell greatly.It is very important to remove any pieces of shell which penetrate the foot with tweezers, and any pedicellariae can be gently scraped off with a razor if you accidentally step on one of these creatures. Leaving these splinters in is not advisable, as skin and muscle will regrow over them and may lead to infection which can be pretty serious if not treated. Soften the foot by soaking it in hot water, and remove the spines before scrubbing the wound with soap and water. After rinsing the injury, apply ointment and let it heal.Puncture wounds must not be taken lightly because they can cause long terms effects such as paralysis, fatigue, shock breathing problems, or even respiratory failure leading to death. If you find any signs of infection such as inflammation or pus near the affected area, then consult your doctor immediately and apply a topical antibiotic on the wound.If any of the urchin’s splinters make their way into the bone tissue, they may require surgical removal. If the wound emits severe pain for more than four days, then a trip to the hospital is advised.If the wound is caused by a venomous urchin, then the symptoms will be much worse including dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. If the venom reaches the bloodstream, it may also cause death.Always be careful when you are vacationing on the beach, and be sure to keep an eye out for these spiny creatures in order to avoid sea urchin injuries and save yourself from a world of pain! Be prepared beforehand in order to deal with any unforeseen accidents by carrying ointment and ibuprofen, and always keep medical helpline numbers in mind in case of emergencies.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Are sea urchins poisonous? Watch your steps on coral reefs! then why not take a look at Are silverfish dangerous? 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Sea urchins are spiny sea creatures that can be found in almost every saltwater body in the world.
