Starfish

Facts about Starfish, "Starfish scientific name for Starfish is Asteroidea". "Starfish" is one of the most fascinating sea creatures belonging to the larger group called echinoderms meaning that their skins are spiny. Most of the Starfish have five arms while others may have up to twelve arms, which are centered to the central disc. There are over 1,500 species of starfish in the world's sea waters. The Starfish have radial symmetrical bodies and they don’t relate to fish at all. Starfish vary in size and belong to a group of invertebrates such as sea urchins and cucumbers.

Intriguing facts of Starfish

Different species of the Starfish exhibit different colors ranging from reddish, orange, yellow brown, light gray or violet. Some deep water starfishes are pale colored. Starfish are slow growing animals and they can grow up to 5 7/8 (15 cm) long in shallow waters and up to about inches 20 1/2 inches (52 cm) in deep quiet sea waters. Spreading from the soft central disc featured by dorsal anus and a ventral mouth are Starfish's 5 tapering arms characterized by fore rows of upturned ends.

The Starfish have apical tube feet, which are modified light sensory organs while their upper surface is covered by spines that are surrounded by tiny pincers. The pincers guard the Starfish from detritus and other particles from settling on its body as well as a way of defense mechanism against the predators. The most amazing fact about the starfish is that it can regenerate itself from one lost arm. The spines, which protect the Starfish from predators, are just outgrowths of exoskeleton plates normally referred to as ossicles.

Starfish don’t have brains neither or blood like other animals. In lieu of blood, the salty sea water circulates in their bodies with the help of a sieve plate. The Starfish are carnivores and they often feed on shells, clams and mussels. They are featured by two stomachs. One of them pushes outside the body when the Starfish is feeding allowing them to devour large prey with ease.

Starfish can reproduce either sexually or asexually. In sexual reproduction, males release millions of sperms onto the water to fertilize the thousands of eggs released by their female counterparts. These animals can change to the sex of its choice at any time.