Canadian wildlife · Drawing 32 of 40
Common Sea Star
On the coasts and in the ocean
The common sea star moves along the seabed. Its arms surround the centre of its body, near rocks and the shellfish that it eats.
Did you know?
Little tube-shaped feet lie underneath its arms.
Look together
How many arms can you see on this sea star?
An idea to try
Draw a five-armed star, then add little feet to its imaginary underside.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
Scientific name: Asterias rubens. Where it lives: Canada’s Atlantic coasts. What it eats: Shellfish, including mussels, and other animals. Its little feet help it move and hold prey. This species usually has five arms; other sea star species can have more.
Look together: How many arms can you see on this sea star? Draw a five-armed star, then add little feet to its imaginary underside.
Sources and illustration notes (2)
Simplified drawing for colouring. Coat, feather or skin markings are left white so children can choose their colours. Proportions and details are not a scientific identification plate.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. Source titles appear in their original language; some linked pages are in French.
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada — Benthic identification guideCanadian Asterias rubens identification, typically five arms and tube-foot locomotion.
- Marine Biological Association, MarLIN — Common starfishAnatomy, tube feet and bivalve prey.
Source review: 2026-09-30. Illustrations are simplified for colouring.
