Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

The purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, lives along the eastern edge of the Pacific Ocean extending from Ensenada, Mexico to British Columbia, Canada.[1] This sea urchin species is deep purple in color, eggs are orange when secreted in water,[2] and lives in lower inter-tidal and nearshore sub-tidal communities. January, February, and March function as the typical active reproductive months for the species. Sexual maturity is reached around two years.[3]

It normally grows to a diameter of about 4 inches and may live as long as 70 years.[4]