nfhiggs
07-02-2011, 09:08 PM
My niece found this critter on the beach in Seattle WA. Her mother called it a starfish, but I don't think thats what it is. Can anyone ID it for me?
The Publisher
07-05-2011, 06:49 PM
Sure looks like a sunstar to me! :)
nfhiggs
07-06-2011, 03:51 AM
Thanks for the confirmation - I think I was kind of thrown by what almost looks like a tail and two spots that look sort of like eyes.
The Publisher
07-06-2011, 04:47 AM
The photo is a little odd as the back part looks like the flattened head of an octopus. The photo is blurry too, which does not help. But if you look at the rear part, I noticed that each radius has the same banding as the arms, so I can only conclude the two arms are just set that way.
Below is a photo of another juvenile sun star, copyright to its respective owner. The arms are also asymmetric.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4616824529_048934bac5.jpg
I hope she placed it back safely in the water which would be a good life lesson for kids her age.