THE SINISTER SUNFLOWER STAR
Copyright 2003 Mary Jo Adams
Another sea star I was delighted to see up close and personal on May 18th -- at a 3.4 tide level -- was Pycnopodia helianthoides, the Sunflower Star.
Again while monitoring Camano's Cama Beach, we Beach Watchers were able to see sunflower stars 18" in diameter, stars still well under their potential size, which is in the 24 - 32" range.
Sunflower stars, we know, are the many-armed ones. How many rays? Well, we counted them. Some had 24 rays, but others had fewer, were minus one or several, and perhaps some young ones also had a lesser number. They were colorful. And seemed far more colorful than those previously seen -- purplish-red above with some bright orange toward the bottom.
Appearing in low tide waters as well as those some 1500' deep, sunflower stars are -- not too surprisingly -- "the largest, most active sea star on the Pacific Coast, and to see one in motion is an impressive experience" according to the Audubon Field Guide to North American Seashore Creatures. An observation seconded for sure by all on that -3.4 day!
The Audubon Guide goes on to state that "a large Pycnopodia has more than 15,000 tube feet". I've read elsewhere else that this number may approach 40,000 -- each with tiny suction cups at the tips. We believed these numbers too, as while we watched from several feet away, there was one with its multi-thousands of light colored feet in motion in nearshore waters only inches deep. It was indeed a memorable sight.
Two days before, some of us present at the second grade education days at Camano Island State Park were witness to what a feared predator the sunflower star is as one of these flexible biggies threatened a large cockle in one of the marine life holding containers. Not really galloping to get away, the cockle did, however, extend its big foot and attempt a hasty exit -- and would have galloped, I'm sure, if it could have!
Another sunflower related marine picture that flashes on the mind's screen here is a scallop -- tumbling -- swimming -- jetting for safety as a sunflower star approaches -- the scallop snapping its two shells (valves) like mad to expel water to quickly though awkwardly exit the scene!
Past time for me to exit as well. But not before reminding you that one of the distinct pleasures of low tide days -- especially the extremely low tide days that '03 and '04 are providing -- is the ability to see some of the many creatures normally hidden from view that make their homes in our low tide and subtidal waters. Check your tide table and try to beach walk one of them.
Read about another seastar: Pisaster brevispinus
Pat Nash
Beach Watcher
Class of '94
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EZ-ID: Pycnapodia helianthoides
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