angeleen's Identifications

Observation taken while tide was rising rapidly and this urchin was "walking" along the rock trying to avoid the lapping waves. Urchins move surprisingly fast. I have identified this species as a western Pacific purple urchin rather than the red urchin because in reality this urchin was more purple than red and the location was Pacific ocean waters. Despite beautiful, these creatures are deadly, one sting from their spines and you are left with a shard punctured in your skin. This recently happened to my boyfriend and although the shards are removed, his finger is still not back to normal. Depending how deep the puncture and how long you leave them imbedded in your skin it can cause nerve damage, tissue death and arthritis. Urchin had eyes in the center of back. It is said urchins have multiple tongues for entrapping prey.