Roxanne Holmes spotted this colorful Sea Star at low tide a few weeks ago.
I’ve never seen a Star colored like this. I sent Roxanne’s photo to Bob Van Syoc. He wrote, “It’s a Leather Star, Dermasterias imbricata. They are usually subtidal, but we see them in deeper intertidal areas at very low tides. Some people think they smell like garlic! They like to eat Purple Urchins, so we would like to see more of them!” Roxanne said she never thought to sniff the Star, a chance for scientific discovery slipped away.
Thanks to Roxanne for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
Much cooler today with strong winds and dramatic clouds. The full moon early this morning is called a Strawberry moon. It was quite orange in the hour before dawn.
Spring doesn't know...
Anne Mary Schaefer
What a beautiful sea star, and wonderful that it eats purple urchins!
If I ever see one, I'll have to be sure to give it a sniff, as I had no idea they smelled like garlic. LOL What a delightfully weird world we live in, filled with amazing creatures. Thanks for sharing this cool sighting and info, Jeanne!
Jeanne Jackson
Post authorDefinitely take a sniff, Anny Mary! I have never seen one of these type of stars before. We need more of them to help put the purple sea urchins back in balance.