Sea Stars
Invertebrates
Explore Monterey’s Stars of the Sea
Monterey Bay is home to a variety of sea stars, contributing significantly to the bay’s marine biodiversity. These echinoderms, known for their distinctive radial symmetry and vibrant colors, inhabit diverse environments from rocky intertidal zones to deeper offshore areas. Common species include the bat star, giant spined star, and sunflower star. Sea stars play crucial ecological roles, such as controlling prey populations like mussels and aiding in nutrient cycling, making them vital to the health of Monterey Bay’s ecosystems.