Hey Lykkers! Starfish creatures are not fish at all.
Starfish belong to the echinoderm family, making them closer relatives to sea urchins and sand dollars than any fish in the ocean.
One of the most fascinating aspects of starfish is their ability to regenerate lost limbs, which is not just limited to arms. In certain species, a single arm can regrow a whole new starfish if part of the central body is attached.
Starfish possess an extraordinary feeding mechanism; they can extend their stomachs outside their bodies to envelop and digest their food externally, which allows them to consume larger prey that would otherwise be impossible to fit through their mouths.
Everything You Didn't Know About Starfish
Video by Odd Animal Specimens
Contrary to their seemingly inert appearance, starfish are equipped with hundreds of tiny tube feet located underneath their arms. These feet are not only used for locomotion but also help them to hold onto their prey and sense their environment.
Starfish are equipped with eyespots at the ends of their arms. These simple eyes don't see much detail but are sensitive enough to detect light and dark, helping starfish navigate the murky ocean floors.
Starfish display a stunning array of colors and patterns, ranging from deep reds to vibrant blues and sunny yellows. These vivid colors often serve as effective camouflage, protecting starfish from predators such as birds and larger fish.
Starfish are living fossils, with their lineage tracing back about 450 million years. Starfish have been a part of the marine landscape since the time when the earliest dinosaurs began to roam the earth.
Starfish might just be the stars of the sea with their ability to surprise and delight with their peculiar behaviors and characteristics. These regenerative, stomach-ejecting, and beautifully camouflaged creatures are truly one of the ocean's most remarkable inhabitants.