Sea Urchins

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The name ainoidit comes from an ancient latin word meaning spine. The spherical, globe shaped urchins are regular ecinoids. But sand dollars and sea biscuits, which look like cookies with a bunch of legs, those are less symmetrical - they're called regular ecanoids. So it depends on which species, and more on what kind of oony you should eat.

The hedgehogs of the sea: echinoids are spiky, spiny, pokey, be-toothed, venomous, mysterious, gorgeous evolutionary marvels. And Dr. Rich Mooi of the California Academy of Arts & Sciences is one of their biggest champions. Come stroll through the offices for a face-to-face encounter with this infectious expert. We talk sand dollars, uni, doves of peace, fire urchins, kelp forests, tiny hats, butt placement, foot eyes and how to find your niche, even if it’s miles below the surface on a rotting log.

Learn More About Dr. Rich Mooi

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