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Sea potato

Sea potatoes may have a funny name, but they are perfectly adapted for life in the sand. They are a type of sea urchin that live in a burrow in the sand, feeding on dead animals and plants using their tube feet!

Scientific name

Echinocardium cordatum

When to see

January to December

Species information

Statistics

Diameter: 6-9cm Average Lifespan: 10-20 years
Common

Habitats

About

Sea potatoes are a medium-sized urchin that live in burrow in the sand. They are covered in beige spines, which give them a furry appearance and have tube ‘feet’ that they use to feed on dead animals and plants. When they die their empty shells can be found washed up on the beach and have a white, brittle appearance.

How to identify

The familiar white shell of the dead animal is often washed up on the shore. It is recognisable by the heart shape, dull whiteish colour and thin, brittle shell. The animal itself is covered in dense fur-like spines.

Distribution

Found on sandy and muddy shores all round our coasts.

Did you know?

The test of a sea potato is distinctively heart shaped - giving them their other common name of Heart urchin. A slightly nicer name than sea potato!