Story: Starfish, sea urchins and other echinoderms

Mottled brittle star (2nd of 3)

Mottled brittle star

Weki huna, the mottled brittle star, is a well-camouflaged little animal that may be found lying under tidal rocks or resting on sand just below the low-tide mark. It is a fast mover and will scuttle away when disturbed. If chased by a predator, brittle stars may shed an arm in an attempt to escape capture. The mottled brittle star traps food in a mucus net spread between the spines on its arms. It uses its tubular feet to wipe up the mucus and pass the slimy bundle along to its mouth in the centre of its body.

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How to cite this page:

Maggy Wassilieff, 'Starfish, sea urchins and other echinoderms - Other echinoderms', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/5193/mottled-brittle-star (accessed 26 April 2024)

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 12 Jun 2006