A million sea urchins on the move – A marine spectacle spotted in Kenting

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Taiwan is surrounded by the sea and boasts a rich and diverse marine ecosystem. Recently, divers exploring the waters off Houpihu in Kenting discovered an extraordinary phenomenon in the animal kingdom: thousands upon thousands of sea urchins migrating en masse. This rare event was also captured on camera by diver Ah Guang. Experts from the National Museum of Natural Science described the scene as incredibly precious and seldom seen.

These tens of thousands of sea urchins are known as flat-spined sea urchins. Each has a black-and-white patterned shell, a thin and lightweight exterior, and an oval-shaped outline. Initial speculation about this mass movement is that the urchins may have been searching for a new feeding ground. The exact cause of the gathering remains to be observed, but it has been confirmed that this is not a migration.

An experienced diving instructor noted that while the reason for the gathering is still under observation, one thing is certain: if a large group of sea urchins is found in one area, it indicates that the waters there are healthy. He therefore called on everyone to continue cherishing and protecting these marine environments.