You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Children Touching Animals at Contact Cove

Bahama sea star

Oreaster reticulatus

Today's Research for Tomorrow's Oceans

Come visit me at Mote!

Mote Aquarium on City Island

Support Mote Animals

Fun Facts

Bahama sea stars have tiny tubular feet on the underside of their bodies to transport themselves at a very slow pace. 

Species Type:

Invertebrates

Common Name(s):

Bahama sea star

Size:

Bahama sea stars can grow to be 20 inches (50 centimeters) in diameter.

Diet:

As an omnivore, Bahama sea stars eat algae, sponges, seabed sediment and small aquatic invertebrate.

Range & Habitat:

Young Bahama sea stars live in seagrass meadows for camouflage, while adults prefer sandy or rubble bottoms in the western central Atlantic.

Details:

This is one of the largest sea star species, growing up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) across. These sea stars play an important role in their ecosystem by keeping sediment stirred up, which benefits filter-feeding marine life. In Florida, it’s illegal to harvest or sell Bahama sea stars.