Forbes Common Sea Star

Asterias forbesi

This species is commonly found close to shores of the North American Atlantic Ocean. They are known to be in the domain of Eukarya, a kingdom of Animalia, and a phylum of Echinodermata. They are also known to be in the class of Asteroidea, order of Forcipulatida, and the family of Asteriidae. The last things they are classified into is the genus and species. The genus they belong to is Asterias and the species they belong to is forbesi. They have bilateral symmetry, meaning that they can be folded in half equally and both sides would match on anywhere on its body. They have five legs and each having tube feet. They also have a small dot for its eye and is small and tan brown. A structural adaptation this species has is the tan brown color to be able to camouflage with the sand. Another structural adaptation this species has is its tube feet to be able to climb over hills and large bumps. A behavioral adaptation this organism has is being able to regenerate a limb if one fell off. Did you know that when they are consuming a prey, they push their stomach out of their body to grab their food and bring it back in so they can chew it? The main predators of the Forbes Common Sea Star are sharks, manta rays,crabs,and other sea stars. The prey are other sea stars, clams, and scallops. This animal is heterotrophic, or commonly put to words as a plant and animal consuming creature. This animal is also ectothermic, meaning that they are cold-blooded or change body temperature when its environment changes.

By: Meredith M

Picture from: Ashley Hall Learning Commons