What does alive starfish look like?

An alive starfish looks quite different from a dead one! Here's a breakdown of what to look for:

Color: While starfish come in a variety of colors (red, orange, purple, brown, blue, even green), the most striking difference between a living and dead starfish is the brightness of the color.

* Alive: The colors will be vibrant and saturated.

* Dead: The colors will be dull, faded, and often washed out.

Texture:

* Alive: The skin will be smooth and slightly moist, with a leathery feel.

* Dead: The skin will feel dry, rough, and possibly brittle.

Movement:

* Alive: Starfish are capable of slow but deliberate movement using their tube feet. You might see them slowly inching along or gripping onto surfaces.

* Dead: They will be completely immobile.

Arms:

* Alive: The arms will be firm and flexible, and they might twitch slightly.

* Dead: The arms will be stiff and might even start to detach.

Other signs:

* Live starfish often have small, white spots or bumps on their surface. These are called papulae, and they help the starfish breathe.

* You might see a small, white star-shaped mark on the top of the starfish. This is the madreporite, which is a pore that allows water into the starfish's water vascular system.

Important Note: Starfish are very fragile creatures. It is important to be respectful of them when you encounter them in their natural habitat. Do not touch or pick up a starfish unless absolutely necessary.