1 When is a fish not a fish? When it's a starfish! Starfish are ocean animals, but despite their name, they are not fish. They are echinoderms. Sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and sand dollars are also echinoderms.
2 There are many types of starfish. Starfish are called sea stars. This is because they are shaped like stars, and they are not fish. Some are very small. They are only one inch wide. The largest one is a lot bigger than that. It is three feet wide. Not only are starfish different sizes, they have different rays as well. Most sea stars have only five rays, or arms. Some though, can have as many as twenty!
3 Sea stars come in many different colors. Some even have unique patterns on their bodies. One sea star is called a candy cane star. Can you guess what color it is? It is red and white. Another one is called a chocolate chip star. This is a perfect name for this starfish because it looks just like a chocolate chip cookie.
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