What do politicians and sea stars have in common? They are both bloodless, brainless critters that will eat you alive. Okay, I couldn’t resist the joke but it is true that the sea star has no head, brain or blood. Yet the politician has a head and blood but no brain, go figure.
A sea star is an echinoderm, which means “spiny skin” and literally uses water as it’s blood. The fluid within it’s vascular system is seawater with some cellular and organic material thrown in. It uses this fluid to move its tube like feet, transport food and supply oxygen and carbon dioxide to it’s body. Quite an amazing critter especially considering it’s ability to regenerate a lost limb.
The first time I saw a cushion sea star my mind was playing tricks on me. I really didn’t think I was seeing something natural because it was so big and had decorative patterns. At first I thought it must be a pillow or something the dive guide put on the bottom but I soon realized it was a cushion sea star also known as a pin cushion sea star . Sea stars are some of the most beautiful critters but the cushion star is absolutely amazing.
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