British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms

BSL Marine Glossary - Brittle Star - definition

Translation:

The Brittle Star looks like a starfish. They have a distinctive circular central disc, similar in shape to a coin with long, whip-like arms that are covered in spines. These arms enable them to move quickly. When feeding, Brittle Stars hold their arms upright to trap plankton and organic matter flowing in the current, before moving it towards the mouth with other arms.

Although their arms are easily broken, they can use this to their advantage - when attacked, an arm can be detached to help them to escape, and it will then regrow. Brittle Stars are found all around the world, both on the seabed and amongst the rocks.

Brittle Star - definition in International Sign Language