How many times have people shared photos or videos of a starfish pulled from the water, hoping for likes on social networks? A dangerous mix of craving for validation and limited understanding turns a seemingly innocent gesture into a death sentence for these creatures.
The so-called starfish belong to the class Asteroidea within the echinoderm family. It comprises roughly 1,800 species scattered across all the world’s oceans.
A starfish features a central disk and typically five arms, though some species boast more limbs. Its surface can be smooth, granular, or spiny, and several species are capable of regrowing damaged or missing arms.
Their bottom-filtering system allows them to feed on microscopic organisms, but they can also consume sea sponges.
They move using tiny tube feet along their arms, and they cling to surfaces with the suction cups on those feet.
Starfish photos and captions often accompany notes like Starfish Pixabay
These remarkable creatures pump seawater directly into their bodies through a hydraulic system. They are particularly vulnerable to pollution because their capacity to filter toxins and other contaminants is limited.
They die within minutes
Another risk comes from mass tourism, which is expanding their habitat. In shallow, clear waters where swimmers can easily spot starfish, removing them from the water for even a brief moment can be deadly.
When a traveler, often unaware of the harm, lifts a starfish from the water to pose for a photo, the animal stops exchanging gases for respiration and may die within minutes. In effect, the starfish can drown in these moments when separated from its habitat.
Simply touching them causes stress that hinders their return to their natural environment. It may be hard to believe, but certain species can be killed by human contact.
There are many species of starfish, each with its own unique appearance and adaptations, making them valuable to marine ecosystems.
When beach waters frequented by tourists contain minerals, sunscreens, insect repellents, and other pollutants, the impact on marine life becomes clearer. Respect for wildlife is essential to preserving these ecosystems.
Starfish should not be touched or removed from the water, even briefly. The most likely outcome is harm to the animal, potentially fatal in short order.
Therefore, any photo shared on social networks that captures echinoderms out of the water should be avoided, and viewers should be advised not to imitate such actions.
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