Leather Star (Dermasterias imbricata)

Description: Leather stars have a broad center and less defined arms than other stars. They are usually a mottled red, pink, or orange color with patches of grey. Their surface is smooth and slippery looking. Arm to arm, they can measure up to 30 cm across.

Habitat: These stars are found from south-central Alaska to southern California but may be more common in the northern part of that range. They prefer rocky shores in the low intertidal areas.

Diet: The leather star eats sponges, byrozoans, sea pens, and anemones as well as sea cucumbers and chitons. Unlike other stars, this one swallows its prey whole and digests it internally.

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• They cover their body in a thick mucus to protect their exposed gills from drying out.

• The leather star has also been called the garlic star because of the garlic odor it gives off.

• As the second fastest sea star, leather stars can travel at speeds of 15 cm per min!

Reference: Walla Walla University, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Aquarium of the Pacific