How cool is it to be a Bat Star?

Amy Ruegg photographed this jaunty-looking orange Bat Star recently.

This member of the family Asterinidae comes in many different colors. Bat Stars have webbing between their arms, which resemble bat wings. They live in the intertidal zone and they help keep the ocean clean by eating algae and dead animals. Amy photographed this Star at low tide, the perfect time to go tide pooling.

Thanks to Amy for allowing me to share her photo with you here.