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A Bat Star (Patiria miniata) displays its distinctive webbed arms and vibrant coloration against the seafloor of a Pacific coastal ecosystem. This charismatic echinoderm, recognized by its five short, triangular rays connected by a star-shaped central disk, showcases the remarkable color diversity of the species—ranging from vibrant orange, red, purple, brown, or yellow, sometimes with striking mottled patterns. Typically 10-20 centimeters in diameter, these adaptable sea stars inhabit rocky intertidal and subtidal zones from Alaska to Baja California, where they act as important detritivores, consuming algae, bacteria, and decaying organic matter. Unlike many predatory sea stars, Bat Stars use their specialized tube feet to feed on biofilm and detritus, making them crucial recyclers within marine ecosystems. Their remarkable regenerative abilities allow them to replace lost arms, exemplifying the resilience that has helped echinoderms thrive in Earth's oceans for over 500 million years.