[1] Astropecten aranciacus lives very near the coast, and at low tide it buries itself in the sand, showing only the centre of its upper side which is swollen in the form of a cone.

It buries itself in the sand to shield parts of its body from the rays of the sun, especially the bottom surface which has no coloured pigment and is therefore particularly sensitive.

Astropecten aranciacus lives on sandy, muddy or gravel bottoms at depths of 2–100 metres (7–300 ft).

This is the largest species of Astropecten in the Mediterranean Sea, with a maximum diameter of 55 centimetres (22 in), although it usually measures about 30 cm (12 in).

This sea star is a carnivore and feeds on molluscs, which it catches with its arms and then takes to the mouth.