Starfish and Sea Urchins

Photo, Alexander Mustard/2020VISION

The Stars of the Show

Starfish, sea urchins, brittlestars and also sea cucumbers are in a group (phylum) called the echinoderms, meaning ‘spiny-skinned’.

Not all starfish look like the classic five-armed version we might imagine; click on the pictures below to find out more.

It's easy to see where this small starfish got its name, it really does look like a little star-shaped cushion. Keep an eye out…

Our largest starfish, the spiny starfish can reach an impressive diameter of 70cm!

This small, round sea urchin is (unsurprisingly!) green in colour and can be found on rocky shores around the UK.

The bloody henry starfish is normally a bright purply-red colour and is found all around the UK.

This large round urchin is sometimes found in rockpools, recognisable by its pink spiky shell (known as a test).

This large brittlestar can be found in rockpools around much of the UK, but be gentle - its arms are very brittle and will break off if…

A most familiar seashore inhabitant, the common starfish truly lives up to its name in UK seas and rockpools!

This large starfish looks just like the sun, with 10-12 arms spreading outwards like rays.