Feather Stars and Their Animal Invaders | Nat Geo Wild

Researchers are studying feather star ecology in the Philippines, including the unique ways infestor species have adapted to their hosts. Feather stars are an ancient species of marine invertebrate. Some species are mobile when seeking food or escaping predators, but most spend their time perched on surfaces.

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One focus of the researchers’ study is infestors—animals that live on feather stars and feed on their waste. Infestors can mimic the feather stars’ colors and patterns very closely. According to researcher Angela Stevenson, feather stars may be “providing inhabitants with everything they desire in a safe haven.”

To learn more about this research project, go to National Geographic’s Open Explorer.

Read more in "In a World of Warming Seas, Feather Stars Might be Winners"

Feather Stars and Their Animal Invaders | Nat Geo Wild

Nat Geo Wild

[PrimordialCicada]

If this thing touched my leg while I was swimming I'd pass away on the spot.

[Antank]

when you don't know whether to evolve into an fish a bird or a plant so you find a middle ground

[youssefnassar]

Perfect camouflagers, and perfect for others to camouflage.

[AzlianaLyana]

Sort of like a fern-looking mobile squatters' paradise? Never knew these things existed until today. I wonder how big these things can get. Thanks for sharing National Geographic.

[biancaarmstrong]

It's amazing that the ocean still holds many secrets that we haven't discovered yet.

[saucyboi]

When you want to fly but your underwater




Feathered star: *Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.*

[franklandislands]

So amazing to see Feather Stars mobile! We were lucky enough to catch some footage of one around the coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef around the Frankland Islands!

[davideparmeggiani]

Oh to be a shrimp drifting thru the ocean on my feather starfish

[Ericbz]

We know aliens exist. They have to. But why are we focused on space?

THE OCEANS HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED!

[KaylasMusicalDigest]

These creatures move so gracefully! What a beautiful creature it is! 😊😊

[Marley_kw]

The movement and colors of the feather star is definitely sight to see!

[cartoliravioli]

The feather star is like the Netflix account someone owns and all their friends leech off of it

[samshotgun]

I am a commercial fisherman from CA, we have caught these off and on for years and I was always curious what they were.. they come out of the water moving all over and dropping limbs for defense.

[gauravvj]

More underwater organisms I'm relaxed thank you

[RedLionX]

That is the most amazing living thing I have ever seen

[samuelkuhn]

It looks like a biblicaly accurate angel

[bunras]

That's so cool how they come in all different colors, and they have their own little animals to complete their aesthetic

[cRAVEtrance]

Does anyone know the name of the song that plays during the video? It was really relaxing.

Also, Feather stars are so awesome. I didn't know they hosted such specialized critters!

[ninerempire]

Daily dose of Internet brought me here

[alxmtncstudio]

The infestors are incredible. I still don't understand how these animals, clearly without our precise human vision for colors, adapt to the right colore tone