Sea star

Echinodermata – Asteroidea

Distribution:       

Also known as starfish, these often brightly coloured echinoderms consist of five or more arms radiating out from a central disc. The mouth and tube feet are located on the underside of its body. Sea stars can be herbivorous (plant-eating), carnivorous (animal-eating) or omnivorous (plant- and animal-eating) feeders. The stomach is pushed outside their own body through the mouth to surround the food. Once the food is digested, the stomach is pulled back into the body of the sea star.

Did you know?

Many echinoderms are able to regrow lost or damaged parts of their bodies, such as an arm. Some species can even grow back a complete new body from a single arm, if part of the central disc is attached.