Leather Star Dermasterias imbricata Washington State
The leather star can reach a diameter of 10 inches (25 cm.). It has a blotchy reddish brown color with gray patches and a smooth texture described by some as being similar to that of wet suede leather. While normally seen with five rays, it is occasionally found with six. Its distinctive odor is reminiscent of garlic or sulfur and from this comes an alternative common name, garlic star. This species feeds primarily on sea anemones when they are available. Other prey items include purple sea urchins, sea cucumbers, sea pens, encrusting sponges, and bryozoans. The leather sea star can be found from the low intertidal zone to a depth of 300 feet.
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Keywords: asteroidea, asteropseidae, curculionoidea, dermasterias, echinoderm, echinodermata, garlic, imbricata, leather, ocean, pacific, seastar, star
