Sunflower Sea Star
By: Shayla Pedigo period 1
How do Sunflower Sea Stars move?
Adult sunflower sea stars can move at speeds of one meter per minute using 15,000 tube feet which line the underside of their bodies. When sunflower sea star babies are born, they start out with only 5 arms. Once they reach adulthood, they can have 16-24 arms.
How does it eat?
Sunflower Sea Stars are primarily carnivorous eating mainly clams, sea urchins, crabs, snails, etc. When it contacts prey it puts its 8 leading arms in front and it throws the leading arms down on top of the prey. Then its protrudes its stomach, envelops the entire prey, and digests it.
Where does it live?
They are very common in the intertidal zone of the Pacific from Alaska to Southern California. Sunflower stars are commonly found on several substrates like mud, sand, gravel, boulders and rock. They are found in the intertidal zone as deep as 435 meters, but, most are found no more than 120 meters.