Two Oceans Aquarium Has a Very Special Star in the Building!

Photo Credit: Two Oceans Aquarium

A star with ten detachable arms and a really big bod!

Cape Town, South Africa (14 October 2026) – We love learning about the many fascinating creatures at Two Oceans Aquarium (TOA). This year, we were introduced to Cherry, the World Cup-predicting common octopus, and Pink Meanie, a fierce and incredibly rare ‘jellivorous’ beauty.

Now, TOA has introduced us to a special star in the building!

The basket star is a type of brittle star, a close relative of the starfish, known for its ten incredible branching arms that spiral out into delicate tendrils and its large central disc. The basket star is also known as Gorgon’s head! Funnily enough, it does look like something that could ‘star’ in Stranger Things!

You’d typically find basket stars anchored to sea fans and corals high up on the reef, where their delicate, intricate arms can spread out and catch food. Their long limbs can interlock to form what looks like a basket, hence the name!

“The fine tendrils on their arms can interlock, forming a basket-like trap. When not feeding, basket stars can pull their tendrils and arms towards their central disk for protection.” Two Oceans Aquarium shares.

And when they’re threatened by a predator, they can shed parts of those very arms to make a quick getaway! Don’t worry, though. They grow back over time…

“Did you know they also have a clever escape trick? When threatened by a predator, basket stars can shed parts of their arms to make their getaway. Even more amazing, those arms can grow back over time.”

Sometimes, you think your human features are pretty cool. Then you meet a basket star that totally outshines you. Though, voluntarily losing our limbs in scary situations probably wouldn’t pan out too well for us Homo sapiens. Best leave that trick to the basket stars.

This fascinating star is found only along the South African coast, from the Cape Peninsula to Algoa Bay.