Starfish Facts on Asexual Methods of Reproduction

Starfishes are animals that are known to be able to multiply through both the sexual and the asexual processes. Based on starfish facts, not all species of starfishes can asexually create an offspring. There are species that strictly multiply through the sexual methods. But the asexual reproduction of starfishes is definitely a very interesting topic especially to kids.

The asexual process of preproduction by starfishes can be accomplished through two methods. These are autotomy and fission. Autotomy is the process of voluntarily cutting an appendage or an arm usually because of self- defense. In starfishes, they can sever their own arm and regenerate that arm to get complete sets of arms again. At the same time, that arm can actually regenerate a new disc from where the other arms can be formed as well. Again, not all species of starfishes are able to perform regeneration from a single arm since majority of the species would need a part of the disc to be present to regenerate.

The other method is through fission. Fission is the process wherein the central disc of the starfish will be divided into two. Each of those parts of the central disc will now regenerate the remaining parts of the missing body of the starfish.

Starfish Facts on their Diet

Starfishes are among the most fun- looking marine animals that kids really want to pick when they go to the beach. Because of their appearance, people get more interested about these animals. One of the common questions about starfish facts that kids ask is about the food and the diet of starfishes. The diet of these sea creatures is actually quite interesting because of the variety of food that they eat. There are more than one species of starfishes in More...

Spines of Starfish Facts

If you find out about starfish facts, you will know that not all species of starfishes have spines on their backs. But majority of the living species have spines which are major parts of their exterior anatomy. These spines are extensions of the external dermis of the starfish which are composed of calcium carbonate. The spines may also be of different color than the rest of the body. Their tips can be sharp and pointed while others can be curved More...

Fun Starfish Facts for Kids

Kids are always inquisitive especially if they see something that looks interesting. Starfishes always catch their attention because of their appearance and it will be fun if you give a few starfish facts to your kids if they ask. The first fact that you can give them is that starfishes are not really fish but they are echinoderms. They are more related to sea cucumbers even if they have a ‘fish’ in their name. You may be able to find More...

Handling Dead Sea Stars

Also referred to as sea stars, starfish are marine echinoderms that you can find on tide pools and beaches across the globe. National Geographic reports that there are more than two thousand species of starfish, though they all have the same physical appearance, which is composed of brittle and boney calcified skin. In the event that you find this creature, either dead or alive, you must handle it very carefully so that its fragile arms, will not be injured or More...

Interesting Starfish Facts about its Bodily Processes

The starfish is a very intriguing sea creature and there are definitely a lot of starfish facts about how it survives that will change how you view life under the sea. First, a lot of kids always ask about how these starfishes navigate and transfer themselves from one area to another. Although they have 5 or more arms, they do not literally use these arms to walk on the seabed but they have hundreds of tubes that serve as their More...

Starfish Facts on its Ancient History

When it comes to researching about starfish facts on their history, it is actually a very difficult process because starfishes are echinoderms and their species hardly leave any trace in their fossils aside from their external ossicles and spines. This makes it extra difficult for the researchers to spot and identify fossils that are strictly from the starfishes. But according to research findings, starfish fossils can be traced back to Ordovician which is roughly about 450 million years ago. There More...

Locating a Starfish

If you want to find a starfish, go to a nearby rocky beach. Typically, starfish stick to underwater rocks near the seashore. This is the best area to locate these wonderful marine creatures. It is a good idea to look forward to low tide. It is at low tide that the sea reveals a lot of rocks, which have been underwater. In addition, it leaves behind rock pools where there is a vast variety of sea creatures. The best time More...