The Starfish (Pentaceraster mammillatus) is a five-limbed marine animal. It is also called the Sea Star, because it is not a fish. It is an invertebrate animal, because it has no backbone.

The Starfish can be various colours, such as green, yellow, purple, pink and grey. It has a thick body with rounded tubercles (lumps) on its surface – often of a different colour to its body. It has five limbs radiating from a central point (its mouth) in a star-shape. Its mouth is on the underside of its body.

Starfish

It can grow to about 20 centimetres (8 inches).

If a Starfish loses a limb, it can regenerate, or regrow, the limb.

It is found on the bottom of the ocean, on the sand and among sea grasses. It is native to the western Indian Ocean, including Kenya’s coastline.

Starfish

Starfish

Starfish

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM