What do starfish eat and how they get it?

Starfish are predators and scavengers, and they eat a variety of animals, including:

* Mollusks, such as clams, mussels, and oysters

* Crustaceans, such as crabs, shrimp, and lobsters

* Echinoderms, such as sea urchins and sand dollars

* Fish

* Marine worms

* Plankton

How do starfish get their food?

Starfish have a unique way of eating called eversion. To evert, a starfish turns its stomach inside out and pushes it through its mouth. The stomach then wraps around the prey and secretes digestive enzymes that break down the food. The starfish then pulls its stomach back into its body and digests the food.

Some starfish also use their tube feet to help them capture food. Tube feet are small, suction-cup-like appendages that are located on the starfish's arms. Starfish can use their tube feet to grab onto prey and hold it in place while they evert their stomachs.

Starfish and the food chain

Starfish play an important role in the marine food chain. They help to control the populations of other animals, such as mollusks and crustaceans. This can help to maintain the balance of the ecosystem.

Starfish are also a food source for other animals, such as birds, fish, and mammals. Some animals, such as the sea otter, specialize in eating starfish.