A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Pycnopodia helianthoides
Growing up to 36" the Sunflower Sea Star is the largest Sea Star in the world and a voracious predator. Able to move at a rate of 1 meter per minute it will eat virtual anything it can fit into its mouth (which is sometimes enlarged to accommodate larger prey). Crustaceans and other small invertebrates may also be digested by protruding the stomach outside of the body. (snails, urchins, etc) The Sunflower Sea Star moves and catches its prey with 15,000 tube feet. They come in a variety of colors (this one purple) and in habit the Pacific northwest coast from Alaska to California.
Intertidal waters and low sub-tidal waters. They do not inhabit high to mid tidal waters due to the structure of their bodies (they need water to support their weight).
Spotted on Oct 21, 2013
Submitted on Oct 21, 2013
No Comments