Species · GBIF taxon 5186542
Royal Starfish
Astropecten articulatusAlso known as Royal Sea Star
Royal starfish stand out on the ocean floor with their rich purple discs and contrasting bright orange margins. These active predators patrol sandy or muddy continental shelves, using pointed tube feet to glide quickly across the seabed and burrow beneath the sediment. Unlike many other sea stars that evert their stomachs to feed, they swallow small clams and snails entirely whole before digesting them.
MarineColorfulInvertebrate
Licensed referenceMark Walz from Prestonsburg, KY, USA / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
- diet
- Carnivorous, feeding primarily on small mollusks, clams, snails, and crabs
- family
- Astropectinidae
- threats
- Bottom trawling, habitat disturbance, and coastal water pollution
- life Span
- Approximately 5 to 10 years
NE
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Observe in situ: Watch them on sandy bottoms while diving or snorkeling without disturbing their delicate arms.
- Do not remove from water: Sea stars require water to breathe through their tube feet and can suffocate quickly when exposed to air.