Deep-Sea Dining: July 14, 2021

Hungry for more 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones content? So is this critter that was found 1,219 meters (4,000 feet) below the ocean’s surface! This sea star was spotted using its five arms to tightly wrap around a stalk of whip coral during the expedition to explore the New England and Corner Rise seamounts. These sea stars are known as “corallivores,” or coral predators, and they feed on polyps by lowering their stomachs onto a coral stalk and slowly consuming the coral tissue in a process that can take anywhere from a few weeks to multiple years! . You can learn more about this hungry sea star here: Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones: New England and Corner Rise Seamounts. Learn more about the expedition here: