Leather Star (Dermasterias imbricata)

Other names: leather sea star, leather starfish.

Photo 1: Leather star on seaweed.

This starfish has a smooth leathery texture on its upper surface. It gives off an odour that is somewhat akin to garlic. It is known to eat sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and anemones. The swimming anemone, Stomphia didemon, will dislodge itself from its base and try to swim away when touched by a leather star. (Taken at Shelter Point Reef)

Photo 2: Leather star at low tide.

(Taken at Shelter Point Reef)

Other Pacific Northwest Sea Stars: Blood Star, Ochre Sea Star, Six-rayed Sea Star, Sunflower Star