Purple or Ochre Sea Star (Pisaster ochraceus)

Description:

The common Purple Sea Star is the most abundant star fish, and can often be spotted from the shore in higher tidal zones. Ranging widely in colour from purple to orange, and as large as 40 cm across, it has many blunt spines that make it feel coarse and hard. The sea star is known for its uncommon eating habits, and can spend as much as three days to prepare and eat a meal. Generally, it will be found positioned over mussels, clams or oysters where it uses its tube feet to pry the two halves of the shellfish apart. Once the inner flesh of the shellfish is exposed, this sea star inserts its own stomach into the cavity of the shellfish, and begins secreting digestive enzymes that slowly digest the prey within its own shell.

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