Tucked in a small habitat in Shedd Aquarium’s Polar Play Zone, a group of tiny orange-brown sea stars tell a much bigger story. Over the past year, Shedd has been raising critically endangered sunflower sea stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program. Now, guests have the chance to spot the growing sea stars on exhibit and learn about how these animals serve as ambassadors for the threats facing their wild counterparts.  The sunflower sea star is one of the largest species of sea stars in the world, growing up to three feet in diameter with up to 24 arms. Yet in their larval form, the sea stars are microscopic in size. Since arriving in early 2024, the animals grew over 16,000 percent and are currently around two inches in diameter.  Sunflower sea stars are a keystone species in kelp forests, meaning they are vitally important to the health of the ecosystem. The sea stars eat urchins, which prevents the urchins from overgrazing and destroying the kelp. In other words, sunflower sea stars help protect the habitats of animals like sea otters, leopard sharks, giant sea bass and many others.

Photo/Video Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium