Sea Star

You probably know sea stars as starfish, the name sea stars are commonly known by. But sea stars aren’t really fish. Sea stars, like sea urchins and sand dollars, do not have backbones, which makes them part of a group called invertebrates. Fish have backbones, which makes them vertebrates. Got it? Most sea stars sport spiny skin and five arms, although some can grow as many as 50 arms. The arms are covered with pincerlike organs and suckers that allow the animal to slowly creep along the ocean floor. Light-sensitive eyespots on the tips of the arms help the sea star find food. Favorites on the menu include mollusks such as clams, oysters, and snails. The sea star eats by attaching to prey and extending its stomach out through its mouth. Enzymes from the sea star’s stomach digest the prey. The digested material enters the sea star’s stomach. Tiny organisms can be swallowed whole. Sea stars occupy every type of habitat, including tidal pools, rocky shores, sea grass, kelp beds, and coral reefs. Some sea stars even live in sands as deep as 20,530 feet (9,000 meters). Sea stars aren’t social creatures, but they will congregate in large groups during certain times of the year to feed.

20 Bizarre and Beautiful Starfish Species

The Blue Linckia Sea Star will stand out while they consume detritus (algae and organic films). Like most sea stars, these have fairly simple needs

Blue Linckia Sea Star (Linckia laevigata)

Disease nearly wiped out sea stars on California's Central Coast

OCAq Staff Develop Sea Star Wasting Treatment - Oregon Coast Aquarium

Sea Star fun facts

Leather Sea Star · Tennessee Aquarium

Sea Stars and Starfish of the Great Barrier Reef KSLOFLiving

Sea Star by Safari - Friends Of Cabrillo Aquarium

Common name: northern sea star Scientific name: Asterias amurensis Locations: shallow waters of the coast, attached to rocks Seasonality: available

Northern Sea Star (Asterias vulgaris) | Gulf Of Maine, Inc.

Red Cushion Sea Star (Oreaster reticulatus) - ANGARI Foundation

You Say Starfish, I Say Sea Star - Coastwatch CurrentsCoastwatch