Ochre star, Pisaster ochraceous, pedicellaria demonstration using human hair.

Pedicellaria are tiny pinchers that attack anything that touches a sea star. They must keep their gills free of anything that might hinder their ability to breathe. Ochre sea stars are intertidal species in the Salish Sea and this individual was on soft sediment which allowed it to be picked up. Never pry a sea star from a rock and always place them back where they came from. If there are white legions or missing limbs it’s best not to touch because you may be spreading sea star wasting disease. If you see any white legions take a photo and upload to seastarwasting.org.