How to Observe a Starfish

Starfish, or sea stars, are not actually fish but echinoderms belonging to the class Asteroidea. These carnivorous invertebrates have spiny skin that protects them from predators. Starfish have the ability to slowly regenerate an arm or even most of its body when it is severed.The starfish is an excellent less-complex organism to study that can help prepare you to learn biology or higher anatomy classes in college. It is possible to observe a starfish so you can study it in detail.

Things You'll Need

  • Magnifying glass
  • Sketchbook
  • Biology book
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Instructions

    • 1

      Go to your local aquarium or zoo and proceed to the touch pool area. The touch pool area contains starfish you can pick up and observe. You can also find starfish at a beach if you live near one.

    • 2

      Observe the starfish as they are moving around. Observe the starfish with a magnifying glass and see how their tubed feet create suction on a surface to climb over rocks and other starfish. Also, observe how they climb all over the glass.

    • 3

      Observe how the starfish consumes food. If you are at an aquarium, ask an employee at the touch pool for starfish food that you can feed it. Observe how the starfish turns its stomach inside out to consume and digest its meal.

    • 4

      Pick up the starfish and observe its top side and under side. Locate the parts of the starfish with the help of a biology book or picture atlas about starfish.

    • 5

      Draw a starfish on a sketchpad as you observe it move or eat. Label the parts of the starfish with the help of the biology book.

    • 6

      Watch a documentary video about starfish to observe and learn how they move, eat and reproduce if you cannot observe a starfish in person. There are many documentary videos about starfish you can watch online (see Resources).