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The deep seafloor is home to a dazzling diversity of star-shaped invertebrates. From expansive abyssal plains to rocky canyons, these stars—in the subphylum Asterozoa—have adapted in various ways to thrive in the deep. Some of these underwater stars scuttle across the mud on an army of tiny tube feet. Others perch on rocky outcrops, waving a twisted tangle of arms in the current. Their diets range from tiny drifting plankton to scavenged scraps, or crustaceans, worms, and even the occasional fish! Several of these sensational stars have armored plates for protection, while others spew nasty slime when a predator tries to grab a bite! Understanding and documenting the amazing biodiversity of animals in the deep sea is increasingly critical. Fishing pressure, pollution, and climate change all threaten ocean health. Help us spread the word about protecting the important but rarely-seen habitats deep below the ocean’s surface. More fascinating animals of the deep:
