How do starfish eat their prey?

Starfish have a unique feeding mechanism that involves everting their stomachs. When they capture prey, such as mussels or clams, they use their strong arms to pry the shell open slightly. They then extend their stomach out through their mouths and insert it into the shell, secreting digestive enzymes to break down the soft tissue. The nutrients are absorbed as the stomach retracts into their body. This method allows starfish to consume prey much larger than their small mouths.