Sea Star Tide Pool Colouring

Sea stars are echinoderms, close relatives of brittle stars, sea urchins, sand dollars, and sea cucumbers. Nearly 2,000 species live in every ocean, from wave-washed tropical tide pools to cold Antarctic water and seafloors several kilometres deep. Size varies from tiny stars only a few centimetres wide to the sunflower sea star, whose many arms can span about a metre. A familiar five-armed shore species is often 10 to 30 centimetres across. Lifespan depends on species and conditions: many live about five to ten years, while some larger sea stars may survive for several decades. This picture shows the classic five-arm body in a calm shallow pool. A sea star is not a fish and has no backbone. Its tough skin covers small plates that form a flexible internal skeleton. On the underside, rows of hundreds of tube feet work through a water-powered hydraulic system. These feet grip rocks, help the animal move, sense its surroundings, and sometimes pull apart the shells of mussels or clams. A sea star can push part of its stomach outside its body to digest prey, then draw the meal back inside. Many species can regrow an injured arm, although this takes energy and time. The small central disc connects the five arms and holds most of the important organs. Count the five arms before choosing your colours. Sea stars may be orange, ochre, red, purple, pink, blue, brown, or green, so almost any bright plan can be realistic. Use one main colour across the arms and add lighter or darker circles for the raised surface details. Keep the centre a stronger shade to make the five-part pattern easy to see. Colour tide-pool stones in warm grey, tan, brown, and muted blue, and make the shells cream with pink, gold, or violet stripes. Seaweed can be emerald, olive, or teal. Add a thin pale-blue wash around the water ripples but leave white highlights to suggest sunshine. Slow circular strokes work nicely on the spots, while long strokes from the centre toward each arm tip help the star shape look balanced.

◫ A4 size✎ Bold outlines♡ Ages 3–8

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