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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Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand
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