What do seaurchines eat?

Sea urchins are bottom-dwelling marine invertebrates. Their diet primarily consists of algae, seaweeds, and other organic matter found on the ocean floor. Some sea urchin species feed on dead fish and other small marine animals like worms and mollusks. Their unique jaw apparatus called Aristotle's lantern helps them scrape and grind their food before consumption. Some sea urchins use their specialized tube feet to capture and transport food directly to their mouths. Sea urchins play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems by acting as grazers and helping control the growth of certain forms of marine algae. Their feeding habits influence the biodiversity and composition of benthic communities they inhabit.