Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The Starfish: An Unsuspected Predator of The Sea

Don't be fooled by their playful shape and colorful exterior.  Starfish, or sea stars as they are otherwise known, are carnivores waiting to feast on other sea life.


Most sea stars have the ability to consume prey outside their own bodies. Using small, suction-cupped tube feet, they pry open oysters or clams, and their sack-like cardiac stomach comes out of their mouth and fills up it's prey's shell. The stomach then wraps up the prey to digest it, and finally pulls it back into the body.


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