Ochre sea star
(Pisaster ochraceus)
Facts
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IUCN NOT EVALUATED (NE)
Facts about this animal
The length of the ochre sea star ranges from 10 to 25 cm and it has normally five arms. It is predominantly purple coloured but bright orange and almost yellow individuals are also found.
The ochre sea star is more tolerant to air exposure than other sea stars and regularly withstands up to 8 hours exposure during low tides. It is apparently unharmed by up to 50 hours of exposure in laboratory setting, however, they have an inability to tolerate high water temperatures and low oxygen levels, keeping them out of shallow bays and high tidepools.
Spawning occurs in late spring to summer. Fertilization occurs in the sea and development results in free-swimming, plankton-feeding larvae.
Ochre sea stars mainly feed on mussels, but will also feed on barnacles, snails, limpets, and chitons when mussels are absent. They eat by extending their stomach into their prey.
Did you know?
that Ochre sea stars can live for 20 or more years?
| Factsheet | |
|---|---|
| Class | ECHINODERMATA |
| Order | FORCIPULATIDA |
| Suborder | ASTERIADINA |
| Family | ASTERIIDAE |
| Name (Scientific) | Pisaster ochraceus |
| Name (English) | Ochre sea star |
| Name (French) | Etoile de mer ocrée |
| Name (German) | Ocker-Seestern |
| Name (Spanish) | Estrella de mar ocre |
| CITES Status | Not listed |
| CMS Status | Not listed |
Photo Copyright by
D. Gordon E. Robertson
Distribution
| Distribution | |
|---|---|
| Range | Along the northeastern Pacific coast, from the Baja California to Alaska. |
| Habitat | Intertidal zones on wave-swept rocky shores. |
| Wild population | Unknown, but it's a commonly encountered starfish in it's range. |
| Zoo population | 247 reported to ISIS (2007) |
In the Zoo
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How this animal should be transported
For air transport, Container Note 51 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.
Find this animal on ZooLex
Photo Copyright by
D. Gordon E. Robertson
Why do zoos keep this animal
Zoos and aquariums keep ochre sea stars for educational reasons as part of their efforts to familiarise visitors with invertebrate biodiversity. Sea stars may be kept in touch pools where they will come into close contact with visitors and may play a role as ambassadors for marine and coastal conservation.