Red Sea Urchin
Strongylocentrotus franciscanus
Description: 5" (127 mm) wide, 2" (51 mm) high. Spiny, oval. Red, red-brown, or light to dark purple. Spines abundant, variable, largest 3" (76 mm) long. Area around anus with many scalelike plates.
Habitat: On rocky shores of open coasts; from low-tide line to water 300' (91 m) deep.
Range: Alaska to Baja California.
Discussion: This large urchin is eaten by the California Sea Otter, and is in low abundance in the otter’s range. A fishery in southern California processes the urchins’ ovaries and ships them to Japan, where they are considered a delicacy.
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