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Sea potato

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Scientific name: Echinocardium cordatum
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!

Top facts

Category

Stats

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

Conservation status

Common

When to see

January to December

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.

What to look for

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.

Where to find

Found on sandy and muddy shores all round our coasts.

Habitats

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!