It is deep orange to brick red in colour and has five snake like arms which break easily, the regenerate well.

Found offshore in sandy to muddy areas of the sea bottom.

This is a large predatory snake star. It ambushes prey, such as squat lobsters (Munida gregaria), and is surprisingly active for an echinoderm.

http://www.exploretheabyss.com/photo/gallery/gallery/popups/ophiopsammus.htm (accessed 23/08/10) A Guide to the Plants and Animals of the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre: McKinnon