# @butterflypavilion on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C_YWVRyveUy
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/22754440-butterflypavilion-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/e217dc71ff.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-09-01T16:00:13.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Butterfly Pavilion (@butterflypavilion) — https://gondola.cc/butterflypavilion

## Caption

Visit one of Butterfly Pavilion’s most dangerous animals, the flower urchin! 
Native to coral reefs and seagrass beds in Australia, Japan, and the East African Coast, these urchins deliver a powerful sting. 
 
Feeding mostly on algae and small organisms, these grazers play an important role in the ecosystem by controlling the population of marine algae that can impede the growth of important reef species. This helps maintain ecological balance!
 
 Flower urchins aren’t aggressive, but if stepped on they can use their petal-shaped spines to act inject an incredibly painful venom. Don’t worry! Our flower urchin is completely contained and can be a beautiful sight to look at in our Water’s Edge Exhibit. 
 
#FlowerUrchin #SeaUrchin #Invertebrate #ButterflyPavilion #CultureForAll
 
📷: Kenzie Claflin with Butterfly Pavilion

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 74
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- **Comments:** 0

## Tags

seaurchin, cultureforall, butterflypavilion, flowerurchin, invertebrate

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