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The conditions under which covering (“decorating”, “masking”) takes place have been studied in the sea urchins Paracentrotus lividus, Psammechinus miliaris and 2 other species. Covering occurs equally in darkness or light. It requires suitable objects and locomotion or searching activity of the tube feet. The covering reaction which may follow chemical, mechanical or optical stimuli may be purely the result of an increase in locomotory or general activity. Initial selection of different covering objects depends on the tube feet reflexes; size, form and weight of the object are important. Whether an object is accepted or not, depends on its surface and structure, the amount of water movement and the general activity level of the sea urchin. Transparency and colour of an object do not appear to be important. It is suggested that the covering process can be explained in terms of local tube feet and spine reflexes. The loading-up of objects may be understood as “relative walking”: the same reflexes which move the urchin on stable ground, draw loose particles towards the animal and then upwards.