The crown-of-thorns starfish is a marine creature known for its distinctive appearance, featuring long, spiny arms that can reach up to 12 inches in diameter. It is typically found in coral reef environments across the Indo-Pacific region. This starfish feeds primarily on coral, using its tube feet to pry open coral polyps and digest them externally. This species plays a significant role in the health of coral ecosystems. However, when their populations become too large, often due to factors like nutrient runoff and overfishing of their natural predators, they can cause extensive damage to coral reefs, leading to ecological imbalances.