Sunflower Sea Star or Starfish, or Pycnopodia helianthoides, is a largest sea star found in the northeast Pacific. The only species of its genus, it is among the largest sea stars in the world, with a maximum arm span of 1 m (3.3 ft). Adult sunflower sea stars usually have 16 to 24 limbs; their color can vary widely. They are predatory, feeding mostly on sea urchins, clams, snails, and other small invertebrates. Although the species had been widely distributed throughout the northeast Pacific. These are from a vintage collection as the species has been in decline since 2013, it is now endangered.
Lovely by themselves as a natural decor accent, even more dramatic when used to top a bowl or decorative container of Shells and Beach treasures. Size, shape, pattern and color will vary as this is a natural item, no two are the same.
*This is fragile fossil from the ocean and will have imperfections and its own characteristics and vary slightly from the photos, making them unique gorgeous displays.
DIMENSIONS: 5” x 6” approximate
ORIGIN: Indo-Pacific Ocean
HISTORY & FACTS: Starfish are star-shaped echinoderms belonging to the class Asteroidea. Common usage frequently finds these names being also applied to ophiuroids, which are correctly referred to as brittle stars or basket stars. Starfish are also known as asteroids due to being in the class Asteroidea. About 1,900 species of starfish occur on the seabed in all the world's oceans, from warm, tropical zones to frigid, polar regions. They are found from the intertidal zone down to abyssal depths, at 6,000 m (20,000 ft) below the surface.
