- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Echinodermata
- Subphylum: Asterozoa
- Class: Ophiuroidea
- Order: Ophiurida
- Suborder: Ophiurina
- Family: Ophiuridae
- Scientific name: Ophiura ophiura
- Norwegian: gråbrun slangestjerne
Characteristics:
This brittle star lacks the strong coloration of many of the other brittle stars. In stead of hiding in crevices it dresses in camouflage colors. The central disk can reach a diameter of 3 cm. The arms are relatively short, approximately 3,5 times the disk diameter.
Habitat:
The serpent star lives on muddy or sandy substrate, sometimes partially buried, usually deeper than 10 meters.
Distribution:
The serpent star can be found in the North-East Atlantic Ocean, from Lofoten, Norway to Madeira and the Mediterranean.