Sea stars, also known as starfish, are named for their shape resembling a five-point star. While not all sea stars have five arms, some may have 20 arms or more. One of the most well-known sea stars in modern media is Patrick Starr, a character from the show SpongeBob SquarePants. Although his exact species was never revealed, it is speculated that he is a pink sea star, as they inhabit both Sandy and Rocky bottom areas. In 2020, a real-life sea star species was named after him due to its affinity for sponges, similar to Patrick's friendship with SpongeBob. Notably, some sea star species are currently listed as critically endangered, with at least one species officially placed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The sunflower sea star, one of the largest known sea star species, plays a crucial role in reducing sea urchin populations. Without natural predators, sea urchins can consume entire kelp forests, leading to the formation of urchin barrens, which are devoid of kelp and associated organisms. Additionally, sea stars are classified in a class that reflects their star-like appearance, and there are over 2,000 unique sea star species.
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In popular culture, Staryu from Pokémon is a well-known sea star portrayal. While adult sea stars do not float on the ocean's surface at night, sea star larvae do exhibit this behavior. Furthermore, there are sea stars that produce bioluminescence, with some species displaying it across their entire body. Although sea stars cannot propel themselves through the water or breach the water's surface, similar-looking animals known as feather stars possess this ability. It is also interesting to note that the smallest known sea star could fit on the end of an index finger and generally does not exceed a centimeter in length. Sea stars are predators, do not have blood, and have simple eyes.
