Sunflower sea star

Sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) is one of the largest sea stars in the world, found in the northeast Pacific. It usually consists of 25 limbs, spanning to a maximum length of 1 metre. As top predators, they play a pivotal role in structuring the marine ecosystem. Despite their wide habitation, their numbers has dwindled since 2013. For the first time, scientists have raised these species in captivity to help ensure their conservation.