These crazy urchins seem to dominate the exposed regions of the mid-intertidal on Kauai. I wasn't really even sure what I was looking at when I first saw them, which is just about my favorite experience outdoors.
This subtidal aggregation of T.g.elatensis demonstrates the high color variablity within this subspecies. Coloration of spines, tube-feet and pedicellaria ranges between white and black with no dominance of any color combination. to protect against high light intensity and camouflage they carry pebbles and sea-grass leaves.