When encountering food, the starfish ejects its stomach, wraps around the food and slowly digests it, then spits out the residue from its "mouth".
If you turn the starfish over and look at its ventral side, you will see that it has only one "mouth". This is where it eats food and spits out leftovers.
To people, it's the type of thing where you eat it in and you spit it out.
Of course, not all starfish have the same feeding habits. Different species have different feeding habits and feeding methods.
The "vomiting stomach" type, which is the external digestion type, is well-known to the public. This type of starfish mostly feeds on bivalves. It turns out the cardiac stomach, secretes digestive enzymes, and then throws away the shell after eating the meat.
Some starfish digest food internally, swallowing it whole without spitting it out.
There are also ciliated filter feeding types, and so on.
Maybe there are some types that people haven't discovered yet.
However, when people talk about starfish, they mostly talk about the type that digests food externally, that is, the type that throws out the stomach. For example, the starfish that ate clams that broke out in the ocean ranch this time.
Even if you have never seen a Husky cracking melon seeds with your own eyes, you can imagine the process - cracking the seeds, eating the kernels, and spitting out the shells.
But, starfish eat clams, how do they do it
Judging from the way starfish look, it doesn't seem like they have the ability to crack the double shells of shellfish.
Scholars have different opinions:
1. Grasp its two shells and remove them vigorously;
Second, the clams are not allowed to open their shells to breathe, so they suffocate or starve to death, and the shells open naturally;
Third, they secrete some kind of toxin to relax their adductor muscles, allowing them to open their shells easily.
There is no absolutely definite conclusion on this. Starfish eat shells, and there may be one way or several ways to open the shells.
For example, starfish prey on shellfish with natural crevices. They simply stick their stomachs into the crevices and perform external digestion, without having to open the shells at all.
A fierce predator, it takes different approaches to different situations, this is basic operation.
Animals that are weak in the eyes of humans also have a ferocious side in their ecosystem.
Feng Yi came out of the exhibition hall and looked at the messages on his mobile phone. Professor Ding and Professor Li had something else to do and had not returned yet, so they asked Feng Yi to walk around by himself first.
There was nothing here that Feng Yi was interested in, so he went out shopping directly. When you go to a place, tasting the local food is a must.
Wearing an inconspicuous work suit, sunglasses and a hat, Feng Yi walked alone on the street.
There are many people wearing this kind of clothes near the coast of this area. Although there have been film crews and celebrities filming variety shows in Melbourne recently, and sunglasses and masks are standard equipment for many celebrities when going out, no celebrity wears the same type of clothes as he does now. It is obvious at first glance that these are not prop costumes, but work clothes for a company's factory or department.
Feng Yi did not participate in the big eater competitions. It was too easy to be exposed in such competitions. With so many people watching, everyone would know how much he ate. He was a bit famous on the Internet now, and it would be difficult for him to eat well if he was noticed.
It's better this way now. He doesn't need that little money and he won't bully those small vendors anymore.
Rubbing his belly, Feng Yi looked through his sunglasses and swept across the signs of restaurants and diners on the street.
He hadn't eaten enough today, so the food Xiaojia brought was of a certain amount, a little more than an average person so as not to attract attention.
If you want to eat, you still have to go to the street to solve it.
“Heavy-flavored seafood fried rice?”
Feng Yi looked at the billboard placed at the door of a store in front of him and was stunned.
Oh, I missed it, it’s “Multi-flavor Seafood Fried Rice”.
The word "多" was just blocked by a child holding a balloon in front.
There is a label "with starfish" behind the seafood fried rice.
The store is large, there are many people inside, and there are people waiting for a table outside.
Feng Yi searched online and found that among several nearby restaurants, this one had the highest rating, and its signature "multi-flavor seafood fried rice" was also widely praised.
But there were too many people waiting for a table, and Feng Yi didn't want to waste time here.
Just as he was about to leave, Feng Yi met two people. Seeing one of them looking at him hesitantly, he raised his hand and greeted him.
Pan Weining's hesitant look disappeared, and he said with a smile: "I just felt that you looked familiar, but I didn't dare to recognize you. I didn't know if I was wrong. I didn't expect it to be you!"
Brothers Pan Weining and Pan Youning came to Melbourne specifically to eat starfish after seeing the news about the starfish outbreak.
Feng Yi was not familiar with them and had little contact with them, but these two people were very enthusiastic when they saw him.
After all, Feng Yi had done them a favor.
When hunting pythons in Virginia, Feng Yi slid to catch an alligator and the person he saved was Pan Youning.
Pan Youning strode forward, held Feng Yi's hand and shook it vigorously:
"My benefactor!"
Feng Yi originally wanted to say hello and continue looking for food, but the two men knew that Feng Yi was also out looking for a place to eat, so they pulled him aside and offered to treat him.
"I've been wanting to treat you to a meal for a long time, but I never had the chance. I just happened to run into you here! This restaurant is delicious. My friend recommended it to me. We've already taken a number, so it will be our turn soon. Let's go in together!"
Pan Weining was about to go inside, but he paused when he thought of something and looked at Feng Yi. "This private room is fully booked. You can only stay in the lobby. It's easy for people to find you. Why don't we go next door? The food there is also good and the environment is better."
Feng Yi stopped him and said, "Let's go with this one. It's okay. I'm a little popular on the Internet, but that doesn't mean everyone knows me in real life."
"Then the one! This one is famous for its delicious starfish! Brother Yi, have you ever eaten starfish before?" Facing his lifesaver, Pan Youning was not at all distant and polite as usual, but very enthusiastic.
Soon it was their turn, and they were seated near the corner, and all three were very satisfied.
On the table was a dried specimen of Sea Turtle that was longer than a palm.
Pan Weining and Feng Yi were ordering food. Pan Youning picked up a specimen of Sea Star on the table. "Starfish are so cute, why do the news say they are 'sea locusts'? Compared with locusts, starfish are absolutely cute! It looks so beautiful... Hey waiter! Put more vinegar in the sauce!"
After ordering the food, Feng Yi took off his sunglasses. He turned his back to other people in the lobby and wore a hat on his head. No one could recognize him at all.
After the waiter left, the three of them continued chatting.
"We didn't stay in Florida at that time. At first, I wanted to be a python hunter, but I found that I didn't have the ability. Then I thought the wetland environment was good, so I became a fisherman. But who would have thought that I didn't catch any fish, but was blocked by crocodiles! If Brother Yi hadn't come in time, I don't know if I would have the chance to come to Melbourne to eat seafood now. Now I still break out in cold sweat when I see the crocodiles on TV." Pan Youning wiped his forehead exaggeratedly.
Pan Weining was much calmer and not as excited as Pan Youning. He looked at Feng Yi and said sincerely, "It's just a matter of convenience for you, but it's a life-saving grace for us. This meal is still too hasty. When you go to the capital, we will treat you properly!"
Pan Weining still felt a little sorry for not being able to book a private room. He didn't know many people in Mocheng. If he was in Beijing, he could find someone to help him even if he didn't book a private room.
Knowing that Feng Yi came here on a mission from the expert group, Pan Youning said with shame on his face: "We can't compare with your expert group. We are just foodies who come here to eat and join in the fun. Have the expert group come up with a way to deal with these starfish?"
Feng Yi shook his head. "I just arrived today, so I don't know the details. I came here just to help catch the starfish. I have to go to another place next week because I have a mission there."
"It would be great if I could eat all these starfish, so I don't have to worry about not having clams to eat this year. I can slurp them for my stir-fried clams and charcoal-grilled clams... and even go to the barbecue stall for a meal after a night run!" Pan Youning licked the corner of his mouth.
Clams are called differently in different places, but no matter what their local common names are, they all taste consistently delicious.
"I'm not good at catching starfish, but I can help eat them! There will be thousands of foodies like me who will deal with these starfish. I can't let them destroy my freedom as a clam!" said Pan Youning.
Feng Yi just smiled when he heard that.
Foodies always look at serious ecological issues with an optimistic attitude.
It was only after reading the messages in the expert group chat that he realized there were more serious and worrying things behind this incident.
However, there was no need for Feng Yi to specifically tell the Pan brothers about those things at the dinner table.
Eat happily when you eat.
Facing his lifesaver and idol, Pan Youning was particularly active and shared his experience with Feng Yi: "Of course you should eat fresh starfish. I bought frozen ones before, and I don't know what happened to that starfish. It tasted weird and I had diarrhea after eating it."
Pan Weining next to him was not so obsessed with starfish. He came to Mo City just to eat something new and satisfy his curiosity. "I think the taste is just average. He thinks it tastes delicious. But in general, starfish are not widely accepted. It's okay to eat in moderation, but I heard that starfish are poisonous?"
Feng Yi: "Yes, it contains toxic saponin ingredients."
Pan Youning immediately responded: "You are indeed an expert. You just know different things from us!"
Feng Yi: “… I just saw it in an exhibition hall over there.”
Pan Youning just smiled, not knowing whether he believed it or not.
While we were chatting, the dishes were served one after another.
The first thing served was a plate of starfish.
Pan Youning: "Brother Yi, is this your first time eating this? Let me help you."
As he spoke, Pan Youning picked up a starfish and said, "Look, if you break it open, the yellow-green and brown-green stuff inside is the starfish's feces..."
Feng Yi: “???” He put down the chopsticks he had picked up.
"No, it's the yellow of the starfish!"
Starfish yellow is actually the digestive glands and reproductive glands of starfish.
Pan Youning used a spoon to scoop out the starfish yellow and put it on Feng Yi's plate.
"Dip it in the store's homemade sauce, it tastes amazing! But I like the version with more vinegar, Brother Yi, you try it!"
Pan Youning prepared one for Feng Yi, and then ate his own, savoring it carefully with a look of delight on his face: "Or so they say, fresh ones are different!"
Feng Yi picked up some with chopsticks, dipped a little sauce from the sauce dish, and tasted it.
It was a bit fishy, but it tasted good with the sauce. I don't know if it was the seller's way of cooking or if the starfish was just like that. It was soft and chewy. He accepted it well.
Unlike Pan Youning's obsession and Feng Yi's good acceptance, Pan Weining only ate one and stopped. Seeing his cousin and Feng Yi eating starfish one after another, he ordered another portion and reminded them: "Eat in moderation. After all, it is poisonous. Although it is as strong as poisonous fish, if the dose is too high, people can also be poisoned."
Pan Youning didn't care. "It depends on the person. Some people are fine after eating a lot, but some people will vomit and have diarrhea after eating one. Right, Brother Yi?"
Feng Yi agreed, "Everyone's ability to resist poison is indeed different."
Pan Youning: "I am the type that can resist poison, but my brother is not. He looks much better than me physically. He can beat 10 of me by himself. He also caught more pythons than others in Florida. But! He is not as good as me in resisting poison!"
Feng Yi said: "I am also one of those who are relatively resistant to poison."
Not only am I resistant to poison, I also have a strong digestive ability. Not to mention starfish yellow, I can even swallow a whole starfish!
Thinking of the cooperation with the publicity department of the Joint Security Bureau, Feng Yi took a photo and posted a message on the social platform. He was afraid that he would forget it when he was enjoying the meal later.
Isn’t it said that it should bring a breath of life
Eating starfish is also considered delicious.
There is no face shown in the photo, only the vegetables.
Seeing this, Pan Youning asked, "Brother Yi, aren't you afraid of being found?"
Feng Yi said: "It's okay, I didn't write the name of the store. In fact, although he is an Internet celebrity, he is not that popular in real life. Most people don't pay much attention to him. Besides, how can you find fans just by a dish..."
Before he could finish his words, someone at a table not far away stood up and walked over.
"Feng Yi? Hello! We are your fans!"
Feng Yi looked at the three girls in front of him who were staring at his face. He wanted to ask, "What kind of fans are you?" but he held himself back and just gave a business smile.
After taking a group photo with the fans, Feng Yi was aware of the many gazes and discussions around him. He quickly finished the plate of seafood fried rice in front of him and said goodbye to the Pan brothers: "I'm leaving first!"
"I understand! Let's make an appointment next time!" The two Pan brothers waved their hands.
Feng Yi quickly left the restaurant and disappeared in the crowd without meeting any fans. He was glad that he ran fast. However, the video of him eating was posted online by more people.