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Project Noah Nature School
Pisaster ochraceus
Size 6-12 inches across. Leathery, star-shaped animal with five arms; can be purple, ocher, brown, or orange; lacy pattern of small raised, light-colored bumps on upper surface. Sea Stars have rows of tube feet on the underside. Tipped with suction cups, they help the animal move along and to pry open the shells of clams and other bilvalves. If the arm is severed, a new one grows in its place.
Tidal areas, on rocks; especially in tide pools.
In 2013 the Ocher Sea Star in this area of S. Monica Bay most of the thousands of Stars have vanished or are dying. The water temperature has warmed and caused bacteria to form killing them. Very sad indeed.
Spotted on Jul 20, 2010
Submitted on Sep 26, 2013
1 Comment
Too many star fish! ;)