Starfish
are
invertebrates.
Their
bodies
are
flat.
They
are
sometimes
brightly
colored.
Starfish
have
toxins
in
their
bodies.
The
toxins
help
prevent
starfish
from
being
eaten.
Starfish
live
on
the
ocean
floor.
Some
live
in
warm,
tropical
areas.
Some
live
in
cold,
deep
seas.
Other
starfish
live
in
coral
reefs.
Starfish
eat
other
animals.
Most
starfish
eat
mollusks
such
as
clams
and
oysters.
Sometimes
starfish
eat
dead
or
sick
fish.
Some
starfish
eat
only
plankton.
Starfish
begin
as
tiny
eggs.
They
are
symmetrical
when
they
are
first
born.
Baby
starfish
float
near
the
ocean
surface
for
two
months.
Then
they
sink.
A
starfish
can
live
up
to
35
years.



