Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 2272172
Bat Star
Patiria miniataAlso known as Sea Bat, Webbed Star, Broad-disk Star
Bat stars are omnivorous scavengers that cruise rocky reefs and kelp forests, grazing on biofilms, encrusting algae, and decaying animal matter. When competing for food patches, neighboring individuals push and nudge one another in slow-motion territorial wrestling matches. Their inter-arm webbing gives them a distinctively broad silhouette, while sensory tube feet at each arm tip navigate the surge channels of the Pacific coast.
MarineIntertidalColorful
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Giant Kelp
- Encrusting Bryozoans
- Dead Fish
Predators
- Sunflower Sea Star
- Sea Otter
- Glaucous-winged Gull
ThreatsSea star wasting disease, warming ocean temperatures, and habitat pollution
HabitatsLow intertidal rocky shorelines, kelp forests, and subtidal rocky reefs down to 300 meters
Life spanUp to 35 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderValvatida
- FamilyAsterinidae
- GenusPatiria
- SpeciesPatiria miniata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Tide Pool Etiquette: Avoid picking them up or prying them off rocks, as their delicate tube feet tear easily.
- Best Viewing: Search deep surge channels and under kelp frills at low tide for the richest color varieties.
Neighbor no rights reserved · cc0
Predator Jerry Kirkhart from Los Osos, Calif. / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Neighbor (c) Jerry Kirkhart, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Habitat Partner "Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), Monterey Bay aquarium, California" by LT&C is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
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