Careful
Posted by Sean Ryan March 18, 2005

This is a brittle star. Its name is reflective of its body's fragility. Be careful when handling these delicate creatures (if given permission to even handle) because they are brittle. They are in the Phylum Echinodermata, but move much faster than their relatives the sea star. Once out of water they move their arms about (probably because they want back in the water). They are called Brittle stars because if a predator grabs onto one of their legs they can detach quite easily (like the tail of some lizards). This is useful because it may allow the brittle star an opportunity to get away. The predator already has a mouth full and may overlook the fleeing brittle star. If you get a chance to find one of these cool species, which I'm sure you will. Observe them when you release them back into the water. Open your hands letting the brittle star fall to the bottom of the ocean (at a good depth, at least waist high or greater). Use your goggles and observe what it does while falling. How would this action that it takes benefit the species. (This specimen was found in Cabo Blanco while on our scavenge through the inter tidal zone, but was also found while snorkeling there)