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.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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