The sunflower sea star, found in the northeast Pacific is among the largest sea stars found in the world. It has a maximum arm span of 1 metre.
It has the longest arm spread of any sea star, measuring about 40 inches from tip to tip, and it is also the heaviest, weighing up to 11 pounds. It also has the most arms of any animal known to science.
Aside from its size, the number of arms is what makes this sea star so incredible. Adults have up to 24 symmetrically placed arms, which is more than any other known species.
Because some individuals are a deep yellow, they resemble sunflowers, with all of the arms resembling petals. The hue yellow isn’t the only one available; sunflower stars also come in purple, orange, red, and brown variations.
They are paler beneath, with thousands of yellow or orange tubular feet. These feet act like suction cups, providing the sea stars with a firm hold and assisting them in catching and opening their mollusk, sea urchin, and crab prey.
The feet are also utilized for walking, and according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, this species can travel at a remarkable rate of up to 40 inches per minute.
Credit : American Oceans
Picture Credit : Google
