There are two meanings of the word spine: 1. The backbone of a creature that extends from the bottom of their head/skull all the way down their back. And 2. a stiff, pointed, part that sticks out from a creature. E.g. the pointy spines of a fish or kina.

An animal (E.g. a shark, dolphin, or human) that naturally hunts and eats other animals.

Kina, or sea urchins, are a small sea creature the lives in shallow water. They have a round shell which is covered in sharp needle-like spines. Kina are eaten by crayfish, as well as humans, and they like to eat seaweed or kelp.

Animals that live in water and have a hard shell. E.g. Pipis, cockles, and mussels

Crayfish, or kōura in Māori, are also called Spiny Rock Lobster. They are a creature with long antennae, no claws, and a hard 'exoskeleton' or shell which they need to cast off in order to grow bigger. In some areas it is customary for Māori to make sure that the kōura has all of it's limbs when taken. Why? If a kōura loses a leg or antenna when it is taken, other kōura might see that as a reason to leave the area!

An animal that is hunted and killed by other animals for food.

A narrow opening caused by a crack or split. E.g. a crack in a rock.