Sea Urchin Test
Lytechinus variegatus
Markings and exact colorations may vary.
The fragile green-white shell left behind when a variegated urchin dies.
- Typical size
- 1 to 3 inches
- How often it turns up
- Common
- Collecting
- Restricted
- Handling
- May be alive
Empty tests only. Live urchin collection is regulated.
Live urchin spines can break off in skin.
How to tell it apart
- Round, slightly flattened dome
- Rows of tiny bumps where spines attached
- Pale green to white and very thin
Where to find these in Florida
Beaches rated very good or excellent for tidepool life. Each page shows today’s score, the best window and access details.
- Bathtub Reef Beach · Stuart
- Anne's Beach · Islamorada
- Bahia Honda State Park · Big Pine Key
- Bathtub Beach · Stuart
- Caspersen Beach · Venice
- Curry Hammock State Park · Marathon
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park · Key West
- Harry Harris Park · Tavernier
- Higgs Beach · Key West
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park · Key Largo
- Long Key State Park · Long Key
- Marineland Beach · Marineland
Found one?
Photograph it and BeachNut ranks the likely matches with a confidence read, then logs it to your collection with the beach and date.
Browsing beaches and the full field guide is free. A free account logs unlimited finds and gives you three photo identifications a day.
More tidepool life in the field guide
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