Thursday, April 4, 2024

ha`uku`uku`ula`ula and unauna

Two fun invertebrates found snorkeling in Poipu today (3 April 2024).  

Above, meet ha`uku`uku`ula`ula, or Red Slate Pencil Urchin (Heterocentrotus mamillatus).

Below, check out this tiger-striped crab — a Cone Shell Hermit Crab (Ciliopagurus strigatus).  (The general Hawaiian name for hermit crab is unauna.)


Fun fact — Eric learned that this crab’s flattened body and legs allow it to live within the shells of cone snails (Conus spp.), which are rarely used by other hermit crab species.

We have been feeling very lucky to spend a little time learning about these amazing animals.

Mahalo to Eric for the great photos!

2 comments:

  1. Love these posts from Hawai'i. Thanks for including Indigenous names for the organisms. I need to attend to learning those for California native organisms too!
    - Chris Griesemer

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  2. BEAUTIFUL life forms-thank you for sharing!

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