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BatstarPatiria miniata |
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This starfish can be found from Alaska down to Mexico, although it is most commonly encountered in California, north of Point Conception (Santa Barbara County). South of Monterey Bay the batstars are smaller and scarcer, hiding out under rocks The batstar has an arm radius of four inches (10 cm), with short and triangular arms. It usually has five arms, although you can find them with four or as many as nine arms. Their colors are also variable, but most commonly they appear in red or deep oranges. In Monterey Bay, the larger batstars are generally found among the tide pools in the low intertidal and subtidal zones, combing the area for food. Typically an omnivore and scavenger, this sea star feeds by extending its stomach over a great variety of plants and animals, dead or alive. Its favorite foods are surfgrass, algae, and colonial tunicates. The batstar occasionally even eats other sea stars, as well |
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Last modified: May 19, 1997 by Marti
Comments, complaints, compliments -- marti@cse.ucsc.edu