Brittle Stars can grow new arms if their arms are broken off.
Common name: Brittle Star
Scientific name: Ophionereis schayeri
Photo: Dr I. Bennett
Brittle Stars can be found at the shoreline but also deep in the ocean. Do some research and find out how deep they go.
Rock pools and rock platforms
Brittle Star
Brittle Stars live around the southern shores of Australia under rocks below the water's surface.
Brittle Stars move across rocks with their flexible arms.
Brittle Stars have a grey, round, flat body in the middle. Five snake-like long arms come out from this central body and are striped grey and white. Their arms can grow up to 15 cm in length.
Brittle Stars eat small pieces of dead plants and animals. They do this by collecting small pieces of food in their arms and passing them to their mouth. Brittle Stars have their mouths underneath the middle of their body.
Crabs and fish often like to eat Brittle Stars.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003
