What is the appetite of a starfish?

Starfish, also known as sea stars, have a unique appetite! Here's what you need to know:

* They are carnivores: Starfish primarily eat other animals, mainly bivalve mollusks like clams, oysters, and mussels.

* They use their tube feet to pry open their prey: They use their suction-cup-like tube feet to pull the shells of their prey apart.

* They have a stomach that can extend out of their mouth: Once the shell is open, the starfish pushes its stomach out of its mouth and into the shell.

* They digest their prey externally: Digestive enzymes break down the prey's soft tissues inside the shell.

* They can eat a lot: Some species can consume up to a third of their body weight in a single feeding!

* They are opportunistic feeders: Starfish will also eat other invertebrates like barnacles, snails, and even small fish if they are available.

Important Note: Some species of starfish have different diets, for example, some are detritivores, meaning they eat dead organic matter.