10 datos curiosos sobre las estrellas de mar para niños

Here are 10 fun and kid-friendly facts about starfish (also called sea stars) that are sure to spark curiosity!

1. Not Really Fish! Starfish aren’t fish at all—they’re echinoderms, a special group of sea creatures related to sea urchins and sand dollars. They don’t have fins or gills like fish do!
2. Arms Galore! Most starfish have five arms, but some species can have up to 40! Each arm is packed with tiny tube feet that help them move and grab food.
3. Super Regenerators! If a starfish loses an arm, it can grow it back! Some can even grow a whole new starfish from just one arm and a bit of their body.
4. No Brain, No Problem! Starfish don’t have a brain or a heart. They use a simple nerve system to sense the world and move around.
5. Sticky Feet Power! Those tiny tube feet act like suction cups, letting starfish stick to rocks or even open clams and mussels for dinner.
6. Colorful Characters! Starfish come in bright colors like red, orange, blue, and purple. Some even have cool patterns like spots or stripes!
7. Ocean Explorers! Starfish live in oceans all over the world, from shallow tide pools to super deep waters—some as deep as 20,000 feet!
8. Weird Way to Eat! Starfish eat by pushing their stomach out of their mouth to digest food like clams or small fish, then pulling it back in. Gross but cool!
9. Eyes on Their Arms! Starfish have tiny eyes at the tips of their arms. They can’t see details like we do, but they can spot light and dark to help them navigate.
10. Super Old Relatives! Starfish have been around for millions of years—way before dinosaurs! Their ancient relatives are found in fossils from long ago.