Northern Pacific Sea Star

The Northern Pacific sea star is a starfish that lives in shallow coastal waters and estuaries from Alaska to Japan. It comes in two slightly different forms, one of which is found near the Strait of Tartary. This starfish has a big appetite for shellfish, which sometimes causes problems for local oyster and clam farms.

• Eats mostly large clams and mussels, prying them open with its strong arms.
• Sometimes becomes so numerous in Japan that it damages shellfish farms.
• Other starfish species are its main natural predators.