Comments : These are fairly common sea stars found in Puget Sound, but often
overlooked as they and not as colorful or large as many of the other Puget
Sound sea stars. Coloration varies from off-white (like this one) to a much
darker brownish white. Morning Sun Stars are veracious predators and feed primarily on other sea stars, primarily Sun
Stars. If you look carefully, you can actually see a couple of the orange
arms of a Sun Star underneath this Morning Sun Star. If you find a Morning
Sun Star and a Sunflower Star, you
may want to try a little experiment. Place the Morning Sun Star on top of a
Sunflower Star. Even though the Sunflower Star may be much bigger, it will
panic within a few minutes and try to move away from the Morning Sun Star as
fast as it can. Make certain to separate the two when you finished you
observations, or the Morning Star will start to devour the Sunflower Star.
Common name : Morning Sun Star
Scientific Name : Solaster dawsoni
Location Found : Three Tree Point, Central Puget Sound
Actual Size : 15 inches
Camera Used : Sea & Sea MMII EX 35mm
Natural History :