Mussels and sea stars

by Paul on Wednesday, 25 May, 2011 5 Comments

Mussels rocks sea

Mussels rocks sea

Mussels are really hardy creatures. They withstand the relentless pounding of the sea in the stormiest conditions. However – even though they’re so hardy, mussels have the unlikeliest predator – the starfish!

The starfish uses its powerful arms to slowly pull the mussel’s shell open. Once the gap between the two shells is large enough it turns its stomach inside out and forces it into the shell and digests the mussel right in its own home! Who would have thought the sea star to be such a vicious foe?!

I took this photo at the beautiful and peaceful Clifton 4th beach.


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  1. 1 Ali
    Wednesday, 8 June, 2011 at 12:52

    Oh my Gosh! Too much information, Paul! As from now, I don’t like starfishes anymore…

  2. 2 Paul
    Thursday, 9 June, 2011 at 00:06

    Yeah, they’re kinda evil sounding creatures hey!? Someone should make a horror movie about giant killer starfish. :)

  3. 3 Ali
    Thursday, 9 June, 2011 at 09:33

    Starfish — The silent beast! :D

  4. 4 RiD1
    Friday, 10 June, 2011 at 03:35

    so….( i dont eat mussels), is there a possibility of finding a starfish in your mussel???

  5. 5 Paul
    Friday, 10 June, 2011 at 08:39

    I’ve never thought of nomming starfish RiD1. :)

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