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Story: Starfish, sea urchins and other echinoderms

Underside of a starfish

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Underside of a starfish

Starfish move about and grip objects with thousands of little tube feet underneath each arm. An internal hydraulic system pumps sea water into or out of each foot. A few tube feet are seen here protruding from the fringe of spines that runs along each arm. Each foot ends in a white sucker that can grip a surface.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

by Melanie Lovell-Smith

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How to cite this page

Maggy Wassilieff, Starfish, sea urchins and other echinoderms – Spiny-skinned animals, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/5187/underside-of-a-starfish (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 2 March 2009.