Name: Bat Star
Information: Bat stars can be identified by their flattened yellow-orange/red colored bodies, from which four to nine stocky arms protrude outward from their centers. Similar to other sea stars, this species has thousands of small suction cups on the underside of each arm, which help propel them across the seafloor in search of food. Bat stars are one of the most abundant sea stars on the west coast, especially in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. As scavengers, bat stars play an important role in the ecosystem, helping clean dead animals and algae from the seafloor. For more information about this creature please visit the following web sites. NOAA