Nine-Armed Sea Stars Appear By The Dozens In Waters Off Naples Beaches
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NAPLES, Fla. (CBSMiami/AP) — In recent weeks, beachgoers off the coast of Naples have been seeing sea stars show up by the dozens.
The sea creatures, technically called nine-armed sea stars, are appearing in the waters under the Naples pier, multiple news outlets report.
Sea stars look like starfish and can grow up to 16 inches in diameter.
Local residents say they started seeing the sea stars last week.
Mike Bauer, the City of Naples Natural Resources Director says he's never seen sea stars appear in such large numbers. He suspects recent storms and heavy rain has lowered the salinity of the Gulf of Mexico and made the sea stars move into the area.
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