righting response

zoology

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July 13, 2026

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The "righting response" in zoology refers to an animal's ability to orient itself correctly when overturned. Among echinoderms, this response varies. Starfish are particularly adept, using their tube feet and arms to somersault back to their normal position. Sea urchins achieve this through coordinated movements of their tube feet and spines. Sand dollars, however, must burrow into the sand to become vertical before toppling over. More mobile echinoderms like sea cucumbers, crinoids, and brittle stars can right themselves with relative ease. This innate ability is crucial for their survival and normal functioning.1

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echinoderm
Righting response
Among echinoderms a normal position may be with the mouth either facing a surface, as in asteroids, ophiuroids, concentricycloids, and echinoids, or facing away from it, as in crinoids and holothurians. When overturned, echinoderms exhibit a righting response. Starfishes show this response most…
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Among echinoderms a normal position may be with the mouth either facing a surface, as in asteroids, ophiuroids, concentricycloids, and echinoids, or facing away from it, as in crinoids and holothurians. When overturned, echinoderms exhibit a righting response. Starfishes show this response most…
Read More