hi my name is Lucia and i am in Rutherford's 3rd grade classroom and i was wondering what makes sea urchins move. please come back to me and thanks for all your great comments for me and my classmates. i really would like it if you would answer my question about how sea urchins move. today i was also killing the bad eminences it was fun when you have someone named sherell and he loves to work on the aquarium his favorite is to kill bad eminences :ide
THANK YOU FOR REEFERS OF THE MONTH
sencirly,
Lucia: strooper:
Lucia:
So its like this: urchins have lots of spines, but think of them like little hands. They can move the spines, lay them flat to get into tight places, and help poke food and move it to their mouth. They discard their spines regularly, some through new growth, some that come off accidentally, and sometimes they drop spines if they are stressed or uncomfortable. Just like when we get sick, we might throw up. Urchins throw up...spines!
Although they look like a ball with spikes, they have a mouth on the body. This is how they eat: they are like a sucker fish, and they stick to the glass and rocks, and eat the algae and leftover food that they can get.
In addition to their spines (little hands) they have little sucker apendges called tube feet. These look like little thin worms that come out of their bodies. They have little suckers at the end, and they are hollow. They use these to hold on to walls and rocks, and also use these to help them move!
So recap: they have a mouth, which they use to suck food and hold on to rocks and glass. They have spines, which they use to move and get food to their mouth. They have little tube feet, which they use to move and hold on to rocks and things.
I had a short spine urchin, and he was lots of fun! Although, with his tube feet and mouth, if he was holding on to something, there was NO way I could get him to let go! His grip was STRONG!
I am glad you kids are all learning about the ocean! It is a wonderful place and a great way to learn and apply it to every day life! I am eagar to see how your tank keeps growing!
From,
Adam
(3-year-old Sunday School teacher!)
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