Sunflower Star
Pycnopodia helianthoides
- Group: Other
- Typical depth: 0–435 m
- Max size: 90 cm
- IUCN status: CR
One of the largest sea stars in the sea, the sunflower star can spread across a metre with up to two dozen arms and races over the bottom on thousands of tube feet. A voracious hunter of urchins and clams from the shore down to about 435 metres, it has been devastated by a wasting disease and the IUCN now lists it as critically endangered.
Taxonomy: Animalia › Echinodermata › Asteroidea › Forcipulatida › Asteriidae › Pycnopodia
Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 240764.
FAQ
- How deep does the Sunflower Star live?
- The Sunflower Star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) is typically found at 0–435 m.
- How big does the Sunflower Star get?
- The Sunflower Star grows to about 90 cm.