Don Reutman, age 16, of Patterson, N.J., for his question:

WHERE CAN YOU FIND A BRITTLE STAR?

A brittle star is a sea animal that looks very much like a star fish. Large numbers of brittle stars live along the bottom of all the world's oceans and in shallow water near the shores.

Brittle stars are not often seen because they live under rocks or in cracks in coral, or they burrow in mud or sand.

Most types of brittle stars have five arms. The arms are longer and more flexible than those of starfish. Brittle stars are sometimes called serpent stars because their arms resemble snakes.

The sea animal is called "brittle" because it may throw off parts of its arms when handled or disturbed. Later, new arms grow. The creature uses the arms to move itself quickly along the ocean floor.

The animal also uses its arms to bring food to its mouth, which is located in the center of the body on the under side. Brittle stars eat small animals, dead or alive.