Weirdos of the Ocean: Southern Sand Sea Star
- Janina Speck
- Jul 3
- 3 min read
If you’ve ever paddled over the sand flats with us on a Nature Tour, you’ve probably heard me say, “Keep your eyes peeled — this place is full of weirdos.”
And I mean that in the best possible way. The ocean here is packed with some of the strangest, sneakiest, and just plain coolest locals — and one of my favourites? The Southern Sand Star.
Spiky, speedy, and sneakier than you'd think
When most people think of sea stars (yep, “starfish” is still common but technically they’re not fish), they imagine them stuck to rocks, barely moving, living the slow life. Not this one.
The Southern Sand Star (Luidia australiae) is basically the over-caffeinated cousin of your typical sea star. They’ve got long, spiny arms and they can move surprisingly fast across the sand — well, fast for a sea star anyway.
Built for ambush
These guys are little hunters. They bury themselves under the sand, lying in wait for small molluscs, worms, or other tasty snacks to wander past. And when they do? Quick grab, dinner sorted.
That sneaky lifestyle, plus their ability to bury themselves almost completely, makes them pretty tricky to spot unless you know what you’re looking for — luckily, that’s our job.
Sea stars: no brain, no blood, all weird
Here’s a bit of general sea star trivia for you — they might look simple, but sea stars have one of the most fascinating body setups in the animal kingdom.
✔ No brain, no central nervous system like ours — instead, they have a nerve ring and radial nerves running down each arm.
✔ No blood — they use seawater pumped through their body to move nutrients and oxygen around.
✔ Their arms aren’t just for show — the little tube feet underneath help them move, cling to surfaces, and even taste their environment.
✔ They can regenerate lost arms — some species can regrow a whole new sea star from a single arm, as long as part of the central disc is attached.
How long do they live?
Sea stars are surprisingly long-lived for such simple-looking creatures. Some species can live up to 35 years in the wild. The Southern Sand Star's exact lifespan isn’t pinned down, but it’s safe to say they’re not just short-term visitors.
A galaxy of sea stars
Sea stars sometimes gather in groups, scattered across the ocean floor like… well, stars. That’s why the collective noun (and my personal favourite) for them is so perfect — a galaxy of sea stars!
Seeing them on tour
We spot these spiky little weirdos sometimes on our Nature Tour, especially when the tide’s right and the sand flats are exposed. Most people paddle right over them without even realising they’re there — until we stop, slow down, and have a proper look.
It’s always a bit of fun seeing guests spot their first one buried in the sand, or watching their tube feet do that weird little wobbly dance when they move.
So next time you’re out exploring with us, keep your eyes peeled — the ocean is full of weirdos, and the Southern Sand Star is just the start.
Want to meet the weirdos for yourself? Book a Nature Tour and come exploring with us — you never know what you’ll spot!
