astronomy-to-zoology:Horned Sea Star (Protoreaster nodusus)Also known as the Chocolate Chip or Knobb
astronomy-to-zoology:Horned Sea Star (Protoreaster nodusus)Also known as the Chocolate Chip or Knobbed Sea Star, the horned sea star is a species of oreasterid sea star that occurs in warm, shallow waters in the Indo-Pacific. Like many other sea stars P. nodusus is an opportunistic carnivore and will feeds mainly on sessile invertebrates and other slow moving invertebrates. The “horns” which give P. nodusus its common name are used mainly to deter potential predators by making it look less palatable.ClassificationAnimalia-Echinodermata-Asteroidea-Valvatida-Oreasteridae-Protoreaster-P. nodususImages: Kareji and Marta Maria Rubio Texeria -- source link