Ceramaster arcticus

Ceramaster arcticus, the Arctic cookie star, is a species of sea star. It is pink and often has dark red accents. It has broad arms, no spines, and no pincers, or pedicellariae. It is considered rare and only inhabits the Pacific Ocean off the coast of northwestern North America.PACIFIC NORTHWEST Arctic Cookie Star / Ceramaster Arcticus">

Description

A member of the sea star genus Ceramaster, the Arctic cookie star is broadly pentagonal, rigid, and like other Ceramaster species, has no arms. The species' aboral surface has small flat-topped plates. Growing up to 11 cm across, it is pink and often has red accents. The species preys on sponges.NORTHWEST Arctic Cookie Star / Ceramaster Arcticus" />
The species is similar to the more common cookie star.

Distribution

The species inhabits the Pacific Ocean off the northwestern coast of North America, ranging from the Aleutian Islands to the north to the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the south. While rare, according to Sea Stars of the Pacific Northwest, the species is more abundant in the northern portion of its range.