Crown-of-thorns starfish are one of the most damaging creatures of tropical coral reefs, particularly Australia's Great Barrier Reef. They are voracious predators that release the contents of their stomach on to the coral. Digestive juices then liquify the coral ready for consumption. A single individual can wipe out large areas in this way. They are almost completely covered in protective venomous spines capable of causing great pain in humans. Yet the crown-of-thorns starfish does have predators of its own, including molluscs, fish and worms.

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