Sand Star
ExploreInvertebrate
Sand Star
luidia foliolata
The Sand Star is a fascinating sea creature that looks like a star! It has many arms that help it move across the ocean floor.
Habitat: Shallow coastal waters and sandy ocean floors.
Appearance
The Sand Star is a very flat sea star, typically with five long, leaf-like arms. Its body is light tan to grey-green, often speckled, allowing it to blend perfectly with sandy seabeds.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumEchinodermataClassAsteroideaOrderPaxillosidaFamilyLuidiidaeGenusLuidia
Category
InvertebrateRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Sand Stars belong to a group called "echinoderms," meaning "spiny skin."
Some Sand Star species can move surprisingly fast for a sea star!
Their mouth is located on their underside, facing directly into the sand.
They move across the seabed using thousands of tiny, suction-cup-like tube feet!
Special abilities
Ability
Regeneration Power
Sand Stars can regrow lost arms because of their special regenerative cells, which helps them survive predator attacks.
Ability
Sand Burrower
Sand Stars can rapidly bury themselves just beneath the sand because of their pointed tube feet, which helps them hide from predators.
Ability
Stomach Extrusion
Sand Stars can push their stomach outside their body to digest prey externally, which helps them eat larger food items.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 35 cm
- Weight
- 0.2 kg
- Lifespan
- 12 years
Diet & Feeding
Tiny crustaceans and worms are a favorite meal for this sandy hunter.
Primary Foods
- small crustaceans
- marine worms
- mollusks
- detritus
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Sea Otter
Enhydra lutris
Otters can crush and eat sea stars.
eaten by
Dungeness Crab
Metacarcinus magister
Crabs prey on smaller or injured sea stars.
hunts
Musselworm
Nereis vexillosa
Actively consumes marine worms living in the sand.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Marine
Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
Also known as
Sand Sea Star
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Sand Star?
35 cm
How much does Sand Star weigh?
0.2 kg
How long does Sand Star live?
12 years
What does Sand Star eat?
Tiny crustaceans and worms are a favorite meal for this sandy hunter.
Where is Sand Star usually found?
Shallow coastal waters and sandy ocean floors.
How does Sand Star hunt?
Foraging
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