We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.
You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Accept
Blood Star
Henricia leviuscula
The Blood Star is a brilliant red to reddish-orange color with a texture similar to fine sandpaper. Their small disc is commonly surrounded by 5 rays but can occasionally have 4-6. It is a relatively small species, rarely getting larger than 12 cm.
Range & Habitat
Blood Stars are from the Aleutian Islands, Alaska to Baja California. They are found in crevices, caves, protected sides of rocks, caves, and pools from the low intertidal zone to 1,200 ft.
Conservation Status: Not Evaluated
This species has yet to be evaluated by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Diet
In the Wild: Sponges, plankton, and small bacteria they capture in mucus and sweep into their mouth.
In Human Care: Melt, fish gel, squid
Life Span
In the Wild: unknown
In Human Care: unknown
In Human Care: unknown
Fun Facts about the Blood Star
- The only threats to these sea stars are by birds and by anthropogenic causes. Many beach tourists take the stars home not understanding that the star’s vivid color fades when it dies.
- They can regenerate a lost arm if a portion of the central disk remains. They possess this ability even though sea stars have no brain and lack of any blood.
Sources
Brietzke, C. and Starzomski, B. (2013). Blood Star. Retrieved May 27, 2021 from https://www.centralcoastbiodiversity.org/blood-star-bull-henricia-leviuscula.html
Myers, P., R. Espinosa, C. S. Parr, T. Jones, G. S. Hammond, and T. A. Dewey. 2021. The Animal Diversity Web (online). Retrieved May 27, 2021 from https://animaldiversity.org
Oregon Coast Aquarium (Ed.). (2021). Blood Star. Retrieved May 27, 2021, from https://aquarium.org/animals/blood-star/
Updated June 13, 2023
Location:
USS Antiquities Cave
View Invertebrates
>
View other animals at my location
>
