Northern Sea Star (Asterias vulgaris)
Northern Sea Star (Asterias vulgaris)
Common name: northern sea star
Scientific name: Asterias amurensis
Locations: shallow waters of the coast, attached to rocks
Seasonality: available all year
Colors: red, brown, purple, green
Size: 6” - 8”
Collected: by hand
Quantity: sold by the each
Tidepool Tim says, “This sea star is able to tolerate low salinity, and will venture into the brackish water, allowing it to be quite widespread. They are found in tide pools, on pilings, and on sandy to rocky ocean bottoms. They are very attracted to mussel beds, where prey is abundant. To get around, stars actually walk on many rows of tube feet! An active star can travel a mile in a week! When they find prey, their stomachs actually slip into the shell of their prey and release digestive enzymes onto them to break down their soft parts. They are also capable of regenerating lost arms! Did you know that they have an eye on the end of each arm?”