Edible Sea Urchin Echinus esculentus

The Common Sea Urchin also has the unfortunate name of the (European) Edible Sea Urchin, although several other species of urchin are also edible. It is native to western European coasts.

It is pink with white or pink spikes and grows to 15cm diameter. It is good at rasping algae and barnacles off rocks with its beak which has 5 self-sharpening teeth. It is near threatened by collection both for consumption and for ornamental souvenirs.