Fact Friday

Crown of Thorns Starfish

Crown-of-Thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci), also known as COTS, are named for their long venomous spines that cover their body and up to 23 arms. These menacing predators eat living coral and (for obvious reasons) they have few natural predators. Sometimes COTS populations can explode and completely destroy the coral on a reef. Learn more in this short education video: 

https://youtu.be/Yb0RvgxGkeg

Photo Credit: Ken Marks

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This page has educational materials that do not currently fit into our Coral Reef Ecology Curriculum. Here you will find additional lessons and videos we have developed.  For more videos, check out our YouTube channel.