Sea Urchins
By GiGi Johnson
Did you know sea urchins are not part of the shell or mollusk family? Sea urchins are echinoderms, the same group as starfish and sand dollars.
I collected many sea urchin tests (shells) in Puerto Rico while on my sea glass adventure. I was amazed to find so many empty sea urchins on several of the beaches. I wasn’t looking for them, but these urchins were empty and in perfect condition. There were hundreds tossed here and there on the beach, plus some were hidden in cracks next to rocks or nestled under debris unbroken.
When alive, sea urchins are covered with long, sharp, sometimes venom-coated spines. Touching or stepping on these spines typically causes a painful puncture wound. The spines commonly break off in the skin causing chronic pain and inflammation if not removed.
In Puerto Rico, the locals enjoy eating sea urchins in many different ways. Many chefs mix the meat into soups, sauces, and other dishes for its unique and salty flavor and creamy texture. I didn’t get a chance to taste sea urchins, but I do love looking at their tests in a bowl at my house.
Learn more about seashells
Learn more about identifying shells, the history of seashell collecting, great shelling beaches, and the lives of the animals who make the shells we find on the beach. Articles ›
No live shelling: Be sure shells are empty and sand dollars, sea stars, and sea urchins are no longer alive before you bring them home.
This article appeared in Beachcombing Magazine Volume 50 September/October 2025.
