Common Sun-star

Name: Common Sun-star

Scientific name: Crossaster papposus

Category: Marine

Nature Stars: 50

What are nature stars?

About: A distinctive sun-like starfish, with about 10 to 12 relatively short 'legs', up to 35 cm across. A beautiful starfish, usually orangey in colour with bands of paler yellow and richer red on the legs. Covered with small spines.

How to identify: More sun-shaped, with more legs, than other star fish

Where: Found all round our shores.

Fantastic fact: A predator, often hunting other starfish.

Photograph credit: Robert Smith