# Sea Star (*Asterias rubens*) Sea stars, also known as starfish, are fascinating creatures found in oceans around the world. They have multiple arms and come in various colors like orange, red, and blue. - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Sea Star](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426337/objects/6397.jpg) ## Appearance The Sea Star has a distinctive five-arm radial shape, often vibrant red, orange, blue, or purple. Its body surface can be spiky or bumpy, differentiating it from smooth marine creatures. Many have intricate patterns. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Echinodermata - **Class:** Asteroidea - **Order:** Valvatida - **Family:** Asterinidae - **Genus:** Asterina ## Interesting facts - Many sea stars have over 40 arms, making them look like a spiky pom-pom! - Sea stars use seawater, not blood, flowing through a special water vascular system! - Their skin has tiny pincers (pedicellariae) that keep them clean and protected! - Upside down? Sea stars use tube feet to slowly flip themselves right side up! ## Special abilities - **Limb Rebirth:** Sea Star can regrow lost arms because of specialized cells that help them recover from injury or predator attacks. - **Stomach Surprise:** Sea Star can push its stomach out to digest food externally, helping them eat larger, shell-bound prey. - **Grip & Go Feet:** Sea Star has hundreds of tiny tube feet that help them powerfully grip surfaces and slowly move along the seafloor. - **Light Detectors:** Sea Star has simple eye spots at the tip of each arm that help them detect light and dark, aiding navigation. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.1-0.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 0.001-0.005 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 0-200 m ## Diet & Feeding Sea stars are often hunters of shellfish, using their unique stomach to eat their meals. - **Primary Foods:** bivalves (clams, mussels), gastropods (snails), barnacles, detritus - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Sea Otter](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sea-otter) (*Enhydra lutris*) — A key predator in kelp forests, often consuming sea stars. - **Eats:** [Blue Mussel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-mussel) (*Mytilus edulis*) — A primary food source, pried open and digested externally. - **Eats:** [Eastern Oyster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-oyster) (*Crassostrea virginica*) — Feeds on this bivalve, sometimes impacting oyster beds. - **Eaten by:** Red Rock Crab (*Cancer productus*) — Larger crabs may prey on smaller or injured sea stars. ## Traits - [Filter Feeder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/filter-feeder): Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Invertebrates](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/invertebrates) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you find a sea star, observe it from a safe distance and avoid touching or removing it from its natural habitat. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Sea Star? Look for fins, arms, tentacles, shells and body symmetry. Underwater light shifts colors, so structure and markings usually matter more than shade. Sea Creature Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Sea Star? 10-30 cm ### How much does Sea Star weigh? 0.1-0.5 kg ### How long does Sea Star live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Sea Star move? 0.001-0.005 km/h ### What does Sea Star eat? Sea stars are often hunters of shellfish, using their unique stomach to eat their meals. ### Where is Sea Star usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Sea Star hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Key West Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/key-west-aquarium) — US · Zoo - [Oregon Coast Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/oregon-coast-aquarium) — Oregon, US · Aquarium - [Seattle Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/seattle-aquarium-washington) — Washington, US · Zoo - [South Carolina Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/south-carolina-aquarium) — US · Aquarium - [Alaska SeaLife Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alaska-sealife-center) — Alaska, US · Zoo - [Birch Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/birch-aquarium-california) — California, US · Aquarium [View all places to see Sea Star](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/sea-star) ## More Invertebrate - [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral) - [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*) - [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) - [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*) --- Source: [Sea Star: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sea-star)