Purple sea urchin

The purple sea urchin, ''Strongylocentrotus purpuratus'', lives along the eastern edge of the Pacific Ocean extending from Ensenada, Mexico to British Columbia, Canada. This sea urchin species is deep purple in color and lives in lower intertidal and nearshore subtidal communities. Along with sea otters and abalones, it is a prominent member of the spectacular kelp forest community.

It normally grows to a diameter of about 4 inches and may live as long as 70 years.

The purple.. more