Brittle Star

Ophiodia peloria, commonly known as Brittle Star are omnivorous, scavengers and detrivores, (meaning they eat dead and decaying things off the sea floor). Their mouth, which is located on the bottom side of their disc-shaped body is used to both ingest food and expel waste products. These animals eat by pushing their stomachs out of their mouth, pressing it against the food source, then retracting it with its contents back into the body. In short, the one opening acts as mouth and anus. 

Brittle stars are closely related to sea stars but have thinner more flexible arms that can move in a whip like motion, making them more agile and able to move quickly across the sea floor. Both sea stars and brittle stars have the ability to detach their own limbs and regenerate them. This process is called autotomy, a self-induced loss of a body structure. This necessary adaptation is a defense used against a perceived threat, such as predation. These fascinating creatures don’t have eyes so instead they use feel as their main sense and have specialized light sensing mechanisms that help guide them through their habitat. For those interested in modern technologies, robotic prototypes are being developed using their nervous systems as an inspiration. Soon, even more people will see the brilliance of the humble brittle star!