Lucas and I were invited to have a preview of the sea stars exhibition at the sea life centre in Blackpool.
As we walked through we started at the rock pool where you can put your hands in the pools and the cleaner shrimps will nibble at your hands, unfortunately Lucas didn’t quite understand and just splashed. You can just about see to the left under the rock it is peeking out. We swiftly moved on.
With 2000 creatures to see there is plenty to look for and I can imagine it is one of those places that you will spot something new each time you visit.
Lucas dashed around giddily until we got to the new sea star area where he just mellowed. The dimmed lights with stars for him to touch just relaxed him. We also learnt a lot about them too.
- Sea stars can switch gender at will
Many starfish can start out as one gender before switching to the other, and even switching back in some cases! - Sea stars have no brain…and no blood
Instead of blood, a sea star pumps filtered sea water around its nervous system to carry nutrients to its body. - They have their eyes at the tips of their legs
Despite not having a brain and no apparent face, sea stars do have eyes, which are located at the tips of their legs and used to navigate themselves around. - There are over 2,000 species
More than 2,000 species of sea star are documented worldwide, living in a wide variety of water conditions and temperatures, from tropical coral reefs, rocky shores, tidal pools, mud and sand to kelp forests, seagrass meadows and the cold, deep-ocean bed down to at least 20,000 ft (6,000 m). They are purely marine creatures, with no freshwater sea stars. - They can regenerate
Sea stars can regrow a lost limb, although it can take up to a year to grow back completely. - They are cannibalistic
With their tough, leathery skin, sea stars are a daunting proposition for many would-be predators. However, they are well equipped to eat a smaller sea star and cannibalism is common with some species. Many wear striking colours to camouflage them or scare off potential attackers. - They don’t always have five legs
Sea stars always have at least five symmetrical legs, but some species can have as many as 10, 20 or even 40. - They eat by turning their stomachs inside out
When a sea star captures its prey, suction cups on the legs hold it in place while its stomach extends out of its mouth to digest the meal.
Cat Culmer
February 12, 2017 at 7:44 pm (1 year ago)He looks like he enjoyed it! I didn’t realise there was a Sealife Centreat Blackpool
#daysoutwithatoddler
Ali Duke
February 15, 2017 at 3:38 pm (1 year ago)The sea stars look lovely! It looks like you had a fab time there.
#FamilyFun
Catie: An Imperfect Mum
February 15, 2017 at 3:43 pm (1 year ago)Beautiful photos. I love the look of the Seastar exhibition I bet it would be good light therapy for autistic kids too, my son used to love the aquarium when he was younger! So many Seastar facts I didn’t know! #FamilyFun
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February 15, 2017 at 4:24 pm (1 year ago)looks like a really cool place. My daughter would love it. #tuesdaytreasures
Kerry norris
February 15, 2017 at 5:05 pm (1 year ago)I didn’t know sea stars can switch gender. Looks like a great day out x
and another ten things
February 15, 2017 at 8:17 pm (1 year ago)Beautiful photos and I love the facts. I’m going to remember those for the next time we go to the aquarium so I can amaze people with my knowledge.
Angela Webster
February 15, 2017 at 8:43 pm (1 year ago)I love taking the kids to the sealife centre’s. It’s such a nice chilled out place to visit. It looks like Lucas had lots of fun. Thanks for linking up with #TuesdayTreasures
Emma
February 15, 2017 at 9:43 pm (1 year ago)This looks so much fun. It looks like such a great place for little ones to visit.
Tammymum
February 15, 2017 at 10:13 pm (1 year ago)Oh my god I think those sea star facts have blown my mind. That’s mental – changing gender no brains eyes on legs. Woah. Sounds like you had a good, and insightful trip! Thank you for sharing it at #familyfun
babyfoote
February 16, 2017 at 9:56 pm (1 year ago)Those sea star facts are crazy; what amazing creatures! I didn’t know much about them it seems!
I found it quite relaxing to watch your video. I like the look of the little tunnel too – it would be a fab place for pre-bedtime calm down!
Thanks for joining #daysoutwithatoddler! See you next month! 🙂
Mummy in a TuTu
February 21, 2017 at 11:15 am (1 year ago)oh wow looks amazing. Dying to take alyssa to an aquarium or something!
Thanks for linking to #ablogginggoodtime