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