Starfish: Not Actually Fish
Despite their name, starfish, or sea stars, aren't fish. They lack gills, scales, and fins. Instead, they belong to the class Asteroidea. Starfish move using a water vascular system and tube feet, rather than swimming.
Regeneration Abilities
Starfish can regenerate lost arms, and in some cases, an entire new starfish can grow from a single arm. This incredible ability helps them survive predator attacks and injuries, making them resilient creatures of the sea.
Unique Feeding Mechanism
Starfish have a unique way of eating. They can eject their stomachs out of their mouths to envelop and digest prey externally. This allows them to consume larger prey such as mollusks, which would otherwise be too large to swallow.
Eyes at Arm Tips
Each arm of a starfish has a small, light-sensitive eye at its tip. These eyes help them navigate and find food. While not as complex as human eyes, they are sufficient to detect light and movement in their surroundings.
Diverse Species and Habitats
There are around 2,000 species of starfish found in all the world's oceans, from tropical waters to polar regions. They inhabit various environments, from shallow tidal pools to deep-sea floors, showcasing their adaptability.
Starfish Brain Oddity
Starfish have no centralized brain; instead, their nervous system is spread throughout their arms, enabling them to perform complex movements and behaviors efficiently.