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Some larger species of sea star may even prey on small fish or slow-moving crabs. They use their sharp spines and suction-like feet to pry open clams and oysters so they can feast on the tasty animal inside. So what do these fascinating creatures eat? Most sea stars have five arms, but some species can have up to 40! Sea stars are found in all the world’s oceans, from shallow tide pools to the deep sea. Sea stars, also called starfish, are marine invertebrates that come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Starfish are known to be particularly fond of sponges, which make up a large portion of their diet in some areas. Once a meal is within reach, the starfish quickly wraps its arms around the unsuspecting victim and pulls it towards its central mouth. They then extend their arms outwards and wave them back and forth in the water to attract small prey items. When hunting for food, starfish use their tube feet to attach themselves to rocks or coral reefs. Their diet consists mostly of small invertebrates like bivalves and shrimp, but they will also consume larger prey items like crabs and squid. Starfish are excellent predators of sponges. So when a sea star is “feeling” around for a meal, it might look a little bit funny to us humans! This is because they don’t have traditional eyesight and instead rely on touch and smell to find food. If you’re ever lucky enough to see a sea star in action, you might notice them moving oddly as they hunt for prey. Some species of sea stars are exclusively herbivorous and only consume plant life.īut for those species that do eat sponges, they use their specialized mouthparts to pry open the sponge’s tough exterior and then feast on the soft innards. Interestingly, not all sea stars eat sponges. Without predators like sea stars, sponges could potentially take over coral reefs and other habitats. In fact, some scientists believe that sea stars play an important role in controlling the growth of sponge populations. While it may seem like sea stars are gentle creatures, they actually have a diet that includes feasting on sponges. This feeding behavior helps to keep reefs clean and free of debris. Sea stars use their specialized mouthparts to scrape away at sponges and other soft-bodied invertebrates. In fact, sponges are a common food source for many types of sea stars.
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