Learn how a sea star can grow a new and entire sea star from just one lost limb, explained in a simple way for kids aged 8.
Hi there! Have you ever seen a sea star, sometimes called a starfish? They are special animals that live in the ocean and look like stars with arms or limbs. Did you know that if a sea star loses one of its arms, that arm can grow into a whole new sea star? That’s pretty amazing! Let me explain how this happens step by step.
Sometimes, a sea star might lose an arm because of danger or injury. Unlike humans, when a sea star loses an arm, it doesn’t just stay lost!
If the arm is big enough and has part of the center of the sea star attached, it can start to grow. The cells in the arm can divide and change to make the missing parts of a sea star.
The lost arm grows more arms, a new body, and everything it needs to be a full sea star by itself. This takes some time, but soon the new sea star is ready!
Most animals can’t grow a new body from one part like that. Sea stars are very special because they have this superpower to heal and also create new sea stars from their limbs.
So, next time you see a sea star, remember that if it loses an arm, that arm might become a brand new sea star!