Sand Star

Sand star (Astropecten irregularis) found on the beach at Lower Largo.

Saw this little stranded starfish on the beach and thought it looked different from the common starfish. From seashore guide identified it as a sand star. It is usually buried in the sand in the lower shore but sometimes washed up after gales which we have had recently.

Sand star (left) in comparison to a common starfish (Asterias rubens) of roughly the same size (around 9cms across).