Deep-sea sunstar
Rathbunaster californicus
- Not on exhibit
- Animal type
- Invertebrates
- Ecosystem
- Deep sea
- Relatives
- Other sea stars; Order: Asteroidea
- Diet
- Crustaceans, molluscs, fishes, siphonophores, polychaete worms, and other seastars.
- Range
- From 100 to 11,000 ft. (30–3,500 m) in the northeastern Pacific Ocean
- Size
- NA
Meet the deep-sea sunstar
This fast-moving sea star is a hungry hunter. Galloping on thousands of tube feet, it speeds across the seafloor and stalks crustaceans, molluscs, and fishes. A sunstar will also dine on dead animals, even a sunken whale.
Up next in deep sea
Animal
Droopy sea pen
This sea pen pushes its strong stem down into the mud.
Keep exploring
Animal
Giant siphonophore
When startled, the giant siphonophore glows with bright blue light.