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Sea Potato Echinocardium cordatum of Florida seashells

This Florida seashells is a heart shaped urchin reaching three inches across, which can be common on the lower shore of clean sandy beaches.

The upper side of this Florida seashells is covered by numerous fine partially flattened spines giving the impression of hairiness. The majority of the feet are also are on the upperside, the pores through which they protrude, form a star shape.

The under the Florida seashells side has spines modified for burrowing, these have evolved to become longer with spatula shaped ends. It is a burrowing urchin, digging down as deep as eight inches. An indicator of its existence is a small hole at the top of its burrow.

The sea potato has specialized long feet for reaching up the burrow to keep it in a good condition. It is essential for there to be a clear flow of water drawn into the burrow for respiration. As the burrows can be in fine sand, the burrow is lined with mucus to prevent it from caving in.

The sea potato feeds on organic detritus it comes across while burrowing. The mouth has no Aristotle’s lantern or teeth.

When the tests are found with Florida seashells, it can be in large numbers due to spats of high mortality, which is normally after a storm, as it takes such an event to remove them from their burrows. Their tests are extremely fragile and very quickly get smashed by wave Florida seashells action.