"Wayne Sallee" wrote in message ...
There really aught to be 3 classes of such similar
stars:
Brittle Star
Brittle Serpent (for lack of a better name)
Serpent Star

The green brittles often sold in pet stores, I would
put under the Brittle Serpent classification.

I would classify brittle stars as being full of
spikes on the legs, and having more spike volume
than leg volume.
I would classify brittle serpent as having a lot of
spikes on the legs, but not as great of a volume of
spike per volume of leg ratio.
I would classify serpent stars as having no spikes
on the legs.

If you are right than my beautiful brittle star
I got in Hawaii is true brittle star with a lot
of furry black spikes :-)

I wish it was in the open more often - but it is
pure nocturnal animal. I am able to lure it
with food during daylight but even then I see
only its furry legs and not a chance to see it
whole in the open - very light sensitive.