The discovery of one of the biggest starfish had ever seen by a Texas beachgoer while visiting Port Aransas left her in awe.
The incredible discovery took place on the shores of Port Aransas, located on Mustang Island, and was promptly shared with the Shutter Bugs Port Aransas Facebook group, a community dedicated to photography and videography.
Christina Biery, the fortunate beachcomber, shared her remarkable find on Wednesday, along with a description of her experience.
Biery noted that the jetty end of the beach was abundant with sea grass, which seemed to be trapping a significant number of starfish.
She emphasized that she had never seen such a vast number of starfish in that area before. In her post, Biery also shared a video showcasing the massive gray sea star in action, using its tiny tube feet to navigate the sandy beach while being gently buffeted by the crashing waves.
After capturing the awe-inspiring sight, Biery ensured the starfish’s welfare by returning it to the water.
Fellow members of the Facebook group were astounded by the sheer size of the marine creature.
Numerous individuals confirmed having also spotted starfish along the shoreline, yet none were as enormous as the one Biery encountered.
Comments poured in expressing amazement and wonder at the colossal starfish.
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Magnificent Texas-Size Starfish Captivates Beachgoers on the Texas Coast
One member stated, “Have never seen a starfish that big,” while another exclaimed, “That sucker is huge! Never seen one like this.” One witty comment even dubbed the starfish as “Texas-size,” capturing the magnitude of the discovery.
Identified by Mark Fisher, the science director for the Coast Fisheries Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife, the starfish species in question is known as the gray sea star (Luidia chlarata).
This flat, tropical starfish is also referred to as the striped sea star and can be found in the western Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico.
The gray sea star typically exhibits shades of gray or light brown, occasionally displaying a pinkish hue.
These remarkable creatures can grow to a diameter of up to 12 inches.
Fisher shed light on the starfish’s behavior, explaining that they typically reside in sandy burrows along the shoreline and beyond, in areas affected by the surf.
He further elaborated that during periods of rough surf, such as when strong winds prevail, the starfish can become dislodged and wash up on the beach, offering observers a unique opportunity to witness these normally elusive creatures up close.
The sighting of this massive gray sea star serves as a captivating reminder of the diverse marine life that can be found along the
Texas coast. It highlights the importance of preserving these habitats and encourages beachgoers to appreciate and protect the delicate balance of nature that exists in such environments.
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