Nine-armed Sea Star
Luidia senegalensis
Markings and exact colorations may vary.
A large, flat sea star with nine slender arms, common on Gulf sand flats.
- Typical size
- 6–14 in across
- How often it turns up
- Fairly common
- Collecting
- Protected, do not collect
- Handling
- Photograph and release
Living beach animals should be photographed and left where they are. Many are protected, and most cannot survive being moved.
How to tell it apart
- Nine long, narrow arms
- Grey-brown with a bristly edge
- Flexible and floppy, not rigid
Where to find these in Florida
Beaches rated very good or excellent for tidepool life. Each page shows today’s score, the best window and access details.
- Bathtub Reef Beach · Stuart
- Anne's Beach · Islamorada
- Bahia Honda State Park · Big Pine Key
- Bathtub Beach · Stuart
- Caspersen Beach · Venice
- Curry Hammock State Park · Marathon
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park · Key West
- Harry Harris Park · Tavernier
- Higgs Beach · Key West
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park · Key Largo
- Long Key State Park · Long Key
- Marineland Beach · Marineland
Found one?
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More tidepool life in the field guide
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