The Common Starfish or Asterias rubens as its name implies exists in colossal numbers around Britain. Countless thousands are sometimes cast ashore after winter storms. Here one is shown feeding and forcing open a bivalve called Razor Shell, Ensis siliqua. It does this over maybe twentyfour hours by using the suckers underneath its arms and exerting outward force on the two shells of its victim. Eventually, the muscles holding the shells together give way exposing the animals flesh. The starfish can extrude its own stomach around the exposed flesh or even insert it into gaping shells where digestion then occurs. Common Starfish will also readily feed on any form of carrion.

The Common Starfish or Asterias rubens as its name implies exists in colossal numbers around Britain. Countless thousands are sometimes cast ashore after winter storms. Here one is shown feeding and forcing open a bivalve called Razor Shell, Ensis siliqua. It does this over maybe twentyfour hours by using the suckers underneath its arms and exerting outward force on the two shells of its victim. Eventually, the muscles holding the shells together give way exposing the animals flesh. The starfish can extrude its own stomach around the exposed flesh or even insert it into gaping shells where digestion then occurs. Common Starfish will also readily feed on any form of carrion.