Black Sea Urchins

When cleaned, the Black Sea Urchin has a pinkish test with red lines, but in life it is covered with black spines that can cause painful wounds to the hands and feet. The spines usually can't be removed for several days, after which they can be gently squeezed out of the skin.

Tests of Black Sea Urchins, Arbacia lixula, 3 to 4.5 cm in diameter. Photograph ©James Prineas, 2003