Asthenosoma varium is a sea urchin (an echinoderm, a member of the phylum that also includes star fish). Growing up to 25 cm (10 in) in diameter, it lives on sand and rubble sea bottoms in the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to Australia and Southern Japan. Its venom tipped spines, with distinctive globular swellings below the tip, can inflict a painful sting if handled; this pain lasts as long as several hours. This capacity, perhaps coupled with its reddish-brown colour, has given it the common name fire urchin; other commonly used names are Pacific fire urchin, elusive sea urchin, variable fire urchin, and electric sea urchin.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Fire Urchin being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Echinodermata
- Class
- Echinoidea
- Order
- Echinothurioida
- Family
- Echinothuriidae
- Genus
- Asthenosoma
- Species
- Asthenosoma varium
Found one? Take a photo and B.inomen will suggest what it is, free.
Check your photo