Sea StarsSea stars, or starfishes, or starfish are

echinoderms, which means

“spiny-skinned”.They are a very strange group of

animals!

Sea StarsUnlike most

advanced animals which are bilateral, echinoderms show radial symmetry as adults. This means they have no head

and no tail.

Sea StarsThe most distinctive

structure of an echinoderm is an elaborate water-pumping system

which operates its tube feet.

Sea StarsAt the center of their

bottom or oral side is their mouth.

They like to feed on such things as

clams and oysters.

Sea StarsSea stars lack a

brain, but they have two

stomachs! One for digestion and the

other stomach can be extended

outward to engulf and digest prey.

Sea StarsSea stars are known

for their ability to regenerate lost

arms.

Their ability to regenerate

depends on the species.

Sea StarsIn some types, a new sea star may be regenerated

from a single arm attached to a portion of the central disk.

Sea StarsSea stars tend to found in the saltier

waters near the mouth of the bay

and the ocean inlets where other echinoderms are

found.

Crown-of-Thorns can impact a reef

The Pacific Sunflower star can reach about 5 feet in diameter.