Sea Stars (Starfish)
// January 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Pacific Ocean & Vancouver Island
More from Vancouver Island’s surrounding waters. Today, some colourful Sea Stars.
We found them everywhere as they were easily spotted during low tides or in tidal pools. I was surprised at the variety of colours as shown below , from pale yellow, to pink, oranges, red and deep purple. The body texture was interesting as well. Some were crusty and hard while others were soft skinned and shiny. I was watching them move around at low tides – they move very slowly and sometimes just sit clinging on the rocks and not moving at all. These photos were taken in the Broken Group Islands and at Galliano Island.
Interesting facts: ” Sea stars have no brains and no blood. Their nervous system is spread through their arms and their “blood” is actually filtered sea water.” (National Geographic) They can live up to 35 years and weigh as much as 11 pounds.
The starfish is not a fish and is more closely related to sea urchins and sand dollars. This is why scientists are calling them Sea Stars. They are carnivores and are only found in the oceans, both tropical and cold sea floors. They have the amazing ability to regenerate their limbs.
Below: The belly of the starfish showing thousands of little suction cupped feet that allow the starfish to bind themselves to the rocks where they feed and also to pry open clams, mussels and other crustaceans that they feed on. The mouth is in the centre of the belly and in most sea stars their stomach comes out to envelope the prey and then sucks it back in.
Enjoy!
~Sharon
