Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Starfish: Strength in Numbers

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Photographing Starfish and Mussel Rock, La Jolla Shores, San Diego, CA
Starfish are scavengers and hunters that clean up the bottom of the ocean floor, eating some fish-killing algae. Most of the starfish usually cleave to each other and on the rocks.
Starfish, La Jolla Shores, San Diego, CA
Grouping together is one of the starfish defense mechanisms to protect themselves from the pounding waves as they can easily be washed off shore by the very strong waves. As the star fish cleave together, their strength multiplies exponentially that they will be able to hold on together defying the pounding waves that crash on them. The star fish exemplifies best the quote, "Together we stand, divided we fall."
Star fish on Mussel Rock, La Jolla Shores, San Diego, CA
Starfish feeds on clams, oysters and mussels. Since those starfish cleaves on mussels filled rock, they sure have an abundant supply of food. Starfish eat through their mouth which is the middle opening on their underside. Starfish don't eat shellfish with their shells on, but rather, they use their powerful suction cups on their legs to open the shell of their prey. When the shell is wide open and meat is exposed, star fish push their stomach out through their mouth and digest it. Star fish are scavengers and hunters that clean up the bottom of the ocean floor, eating some fish-killing algae. 

All pictures above were taken Saturday, February 18, 2012 at La Jolla Shores.
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14 comments:

  1. They are as good as the twinkle twinkle little stars up above the sky.

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  2. Well now Betchai, I didn't know they eat mussels, oysters, and clams. Star fish is fascinating to see, and I love the purple color ones!

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  3. Very cool, the colors are beautiful. I would have to see these in person. Wonderful photos.

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  4. Super, I am amazed how they can stay on these rocks. Great Pictures.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  5. WOWWW, somany star fishes, simply awesome! I love your shots...

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  6. very informative blog entry as well-thanks again, you made my eve:-)

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  7. Starfish are so strange! Love how they are hanging on the rocks.

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  8. thanks for sharing the photo to Teyla and Kyla, they sure will learn about the strength in numbers.
    thanks for the info, interesting facts about starfish!

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  9. Very nice info about the starfish to go along with equally beautiful shots. Thank you very much for sharing.

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  10. Starfish are fascinating aren't they. We studied them last year in our homeschool science and found some at our local beaches (which all had more than 5 legs too). The starfish you show are different again and very group oriented.

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  11. I always liked starfish. I think they are a favorite of kids because of their cool shape.

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  12. as a child starfishes have incessantly fascinated me...they still do..."together we stand, divided we fall"....so true...love that photo of you taking shots :-)

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  13. Fascinating facts and wonderful photos.

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  14. I have never seen so many starfishes outside an aquarium. Perhaps it should be called Starfish Rock. :D

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THANK YOU SO MUCH!!