New Discoveries

Here are my latest beach discoveries...


 



 This is a long-wristed hermit crab who has taken up residence in a Florida cerith shell.  He was quite feisty with me, not wanting to be held way up high above the water. He has a pincher claw, but didn't hurt me, just waved his claw and legs around to get my attention.  I put him back in the shallow water so he could continue on his way.

This is a Luidia alternata sea star.  It is an echinoderm, which in Greek means "spiny skinned".  This guy has no heart, no brain, and no eyes.  It has many tube feet on its underside that are its way to slowly travel on the ocean floor.  As with most sea stars, this guy can regenerate severed arms.  (I couldn't find this sea star in any of my books, had to surf the web to make an identification.)

I just love the impression it made in the sand with its tube feet.








I love sharing what I find on the beach with you.  I'm learning what they are "technically" named instead of, " Hey, I found a crab!" or "Wow, look at this starfish!"  I'm off to the beach for more exploring!