 : Echinoderms
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Body Form: Echinoderms have spiny bodies and tube feet. Tube feet are used to move and catch prey. Their internal water vascular system is unique in the animal kingdom, used to operate their tube feet. The echinoderms are the only animals with specialized muscles that can 'lock' into tension and pull indefinitely to open bivalves and eat them. Diet: The echinoderms include predators and filter feeders. Natural History: Echinoderms include the sea lilies, feather stars, sand dollars, sea urchins, starfish, brittle stars, and sea cucumbers. While sea lilies and feather stars filter the ocean water for food, brittle stars and starfish are predators. Sea cucumbers are scavengers that strain ocean sand for food. Back |
