New Zealand Seashore

DSC_4287 Ambush sea star (Stegnaster inflatus) ventral view. Captures prey in an unsual way. It stands on the ends of the arms, arching the "body" away from the rocks. When a suitable prey item crawls into the "cave" it has formed, the sea star drops onto it. Army Bay, Whangaparaoa Peninsula

DSC4287Ambush sea starStegnasterinflatusventral viewArmy BayWhangaparaoa Peninsula