Starfish are unique creatures in the sea. Also called sea stars, they are related to the sand dollar and are found throughout the world’s oceans, shallow and deep, warm and cold. There are about 2,000 species, and while many have the namesake celestial shape, several starfish have more than five limbs. Did you know they can actually “see” with their arms?
Californian Starfish Survival Tactic
While they can appear somewhat delicate, these guys are more challenging than they look. They will often tear off their arms to get away from predators. It’s the ultimate survival tactic. Some species even reproduce by dividing themselves in half rather than mating. The two halves go their separate ways and regenerate the absent limbs.
While regrowing a limb is commonplace in the starfish world, scientists studying marine life off the California coast were stumped for an explanation as to why hundreds of starfish were suddenly ripping off their own arms. Reproduction was not the goal in this case, so what was causing this mass rending of limbs? Learn more about this undersea mystery in this video.
