Marine Life

Sea Stars (Starfish)
(Many species)
Courtesy of Tom Haight

(Blood Sea Star)

(Brittle Sea Star)

(Leather Sea Star)

(Ochre Sea Star)

(Short-spined Sea Star)

(Purple Bat Star)

(Red Bat Star)

(Fragile Rainbow Star)

There are dozens of types of stars in California. The three most commonly seen species in Southern California are of the Pisaster Genus – the Short Spined, Giant and Ochre – are all active predators seeking out and devouring many types of mollusks. In the case of the Short Spined Star, add sand dollars and dead animals to the menu. Many are covered in spines and, in the case of the Giant Sea Star, also possess small pinchers (pedicellariae). Depending on the species, they can be found from the intertidal area to over 1000 feet under the waves.

Following is a short video clip of a sea star in its native habitat, courtesy of Tom Haight Marine Wildlife Photography. If the video clip does not automatically display, you may be prompted to download a plug-in that will enable you to view the video file.

    (2.6MB .avi file)