Brittlestars
This week, we were lucky enough to explore a local facility focusing on marine education and explore the nearby rockpools. The children loved looking and learning, but there was even a ‘touch and learn’ tank. DD3 was a bit nervous about handling the amazing creatures so I toughed it out and held a slightly freaky ‘brittlestar’ – related to but different from a star fish. Some interesting facts for the day: Brittlestars have 5 long, narrow arms which are sharply demarcated from the small central disc. The entire body can be up to 50cm across (eek) and they are the most mobile of all ‘echinoderms’ (whatever those are?!). They can regenerate their arms if these are lost.
Stick insects
On arriving home, we found a 20cm long stick insect on the window frame of our house – exciting! Apparently they can grow up to 29cms – I’m sure we’ve had one this big before. Interesting fact about their legs….they can shed them when in danger and they grow back too.
All in all, a good day for exploring the weird and wonderful in the local environment!
