Sea stars are invertebrates related to sea urchins, sea cucumbers and sand dollars, which are all echinoderms. Echinoderm means spiny skin—a reference to their hard, calcified skin, which helps to protect them from predators. Sea stars have rows of tiny tube feet extending from the grooved surface on their underside. read more
Starfish, more commonly referred to by scientists as sea stars, are covered with a hard, bony outer skeleton. Their ability to cling to rocks with suction-cup-like feet and their hard exoskeletons make them difficult to find and eat for most other creatures, but starfish do have several predators. read more
Starfish have several natural predators. Among these are mantarays, larger fish and even larger starfish. Additionally, somespecies of sharks find starfish a delicious treat. read more