|
Pycnapodia helianthoides (Sunflower star)
Copyright ©
2005 Mary Jo Adams
This
is another sea star that's easy to identify. As the largest sea
star in the Pacific Northwest, it can reach a diameter of more than
40 inches and gains rays as it grows until it has more than 20 (typically
it has 24). It is usually pink-purple or yellow-orange in
color and has a rather fluffy look. Generally preferring deeper
water, it occasionally gets stranded in the shallows as the tide
goes out.
Pycnopodia
is the T-rex of sea stars.
It prefers sea urchins and bivalves but is a major predator on just
about any invertebrate that wanders into its path including other
sea stars.
This page was created by Mary Jo Adams on 11/19/05.
|
