Sunflower sea star
Pycnopodia helianthoides
| Diet | Voracious and opportunistic feeder, including mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans and carrion |
|---|---|
| Size | Diameter: Up to 39 inches (99 cm) |
| Type | Sea stars |
| Range | Eastern Pacific Ocean from Southern Alaska through Canada and United States to Baja California |
| Habitat | Rocky reefs and sand flats in intertidal and subtidal zones |
Did you know?
- This fast moving sea star can travel up to 10 feet per minute and has been observed traveling almost two miles.
- The sunflower sea star is facing significant population declines due to a disease called sea star wasting syndrome which has killed almost 90% of its numbers.