Fun Facts:

•  Echinoderms are only found in the oceans, none are terrestrial.

• Sea stars can push their stomachs out through their mouth to digest food externally.

• If a sea cucumber is threatened, it expels its internal organs which causes a sticky mess that distracts predators.

• Uni is a Japanese delicacy where sea urchin gonads, or reproductive organs, are served raw to eat.

Key Characteristics:

• Regeneration: can regenerate lost limbs, arms or internal organisms.

• Water Vascular System: specialized system that includes tubed feet for locomotion, capturing food and respiration.

• Skeleton: endoskeleton made of ossicles that can be fixed or flexible.

• Skin: spiky skin, the name echinoderm translates to "spiny skin".

• Reproduction: sexual reproduction with external fertilization, though asexual reproduction is possible. 

• Symmetry: pentaradial 

Echinoderms Explained!

Water Vascular System