Date:1/9/23 9:53am
Happy Monday everybody! Today we will be discussing the common brittle star
The common brittle star also known by the scientific name of ophiothrix fragilis is an animal in the Ophiuroidea class and is closely related to starfish. They can reach up to the size of 24 inches, but most are smaller, reaching only about 6 inches.
The common brittle star can be found along the coast of Western Europe and South Africa, although brittle stars as a species can be found all over the world. Brittle stars are scavengers, feeding on the dead it can find, however it is also known to float in open waters such that it can catch passing food particles that it then brings to its mouth.
The brittle star, unlike what you might think, can swim! They do this with snake-like movements in their arms, although they can also lose these arms like a lizard to confuse predators and regenerate them often.
Have a wonderful Monday everyone! If you have the time I would like to recommend the video I've sent of them swimming!
https://youtu.be/YBvh3Gij-d8