Where does the common sea star live?
Sea stars are a marine species and can only be found in the salty waters near the mouth of the Bay. • They are common in shallow, rocky areas and near jetties and pilings, but can also be found in deeper waters over sandy or stony bottoms. • Sea stars use their tiny tube feet to move over an area, but can also drift in strong currents. • In winter, sea stars migrate to deeper waters. What does the common sea star eat? Sea stars feed on snails, clams, oysters, mussels and barnacles by latching their tube feet onto the prey’s shells and prying them open just enough for the sea star to reach its stomach inside. How does the common sea star reproduce? Sea stars spawn by releasing eggs and sperm into the water, where they are fertilized. • A female can release up to 2.5 million eggs. • The fertilized eggs develop into free-swimming, bilaterally symmetrical larvae. • After about three weeks, the larvae settle and metamorphose into adults with characteristic five-part radial symmetry. Other f
