Pacific Purple Sea Urchin

Range: Pacific Ocean, Alaska to Baja California

Named for their iconic bright purple color, Pacific purple sea urchins can be found all over low rocky intertidal zones and kelp forests of the Eastern Pacific. Due to declines in the populations of their primary predators, this species has become concerningly overpopulated along north-eastern Pacific coasts (especially in California). These incredibly numerous, voracious herbivores have become infamous for decimating once thriving and extensive California kelp forest ecosystems, leaving behind vast, desolate stretches of urchin barrens.