A bright orange Sunflower sea star is seen underwater, its radiating arms spread out on the sea floor with their tube feet and spines clearly visible.
The Sunflower star is found in shallow sub-tidal areas of the northeast Pacific Ocean and is one of the largest sea stars in the world, growing up to a metre in arm span. It begins with just 5 arms, but by maturity can have from 16 to 24 arms. It is an efficient hunter and can move quickly, taking a wide variety of prey. In recent years scientists have observed a serious die-off of Sunflower stars in some areas of the Pacific coast, from a sea star wasting disease and unusually high water temperatures caused by climate change. As of 2018, some populations appeared to have begun at least a partial recovery.; in 2021 it was reported that populations in some specific areas had returned almost to normal.
Size: 4000px × 3000px
Location: Sea Otter Inlet, Hunter Island, British Columbia
Photo credit: © Laurie MacBride / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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