Can You Touch Starfish? 5 Shocking Facts Marine Biologists Wish You Knew
Can you touch starfish? This is a common question among sea star lovers. While starfish are beautiful marine animals, it’s generally best not to touch them. Even though they may look tough, starfish are very sensitive creatures. Handling them improperly can cause stress, illness, or even death.
Why Shouldn’t You Touch a Starfish?
Starfish need to stay in saltwater to breathe. They don’t have lungs like us. They use special structures called papulae (skin gills) and their tube feet to absorb oxygen from the water and release carbon dioxide (CO₂). When they’re taken out of water, they can’t breathe, and CO₂ starts to build up in their body. This can lead to asphyxiation, which means they slowly suffocate.
Also, human hands carry natural bacteria and oils. Touching a starfish with bare hands can transfer harmful microbes like Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas species to the starfish. These can cause infections and damage their soft body tissues.
Does Touching Them Cause Stress?
Yes, absolutely. Starfish have a water vascular system and delicate tube feet that help them move and stick to rocks. Picking them up or applying pressure can break these tiny feet, making it hard for them to move or eat. Even gentle handling can cause stress that harms their internal systems. Just 0.05 to 0.1 kg of force on a single tube foot can cause injury.
How Long Can a Starfish Survive Out of Water?
Some people think touching a starfish for just a few seconds is okay. But studies show that just 3 to 5 minutes out of water can cause permanent harm or death in many species, especially in hot or dry conditions.
Never lift a starfish out of water to “just take a quick photo.” Instead, admire them in their natural environment and take pictures from a distance.
Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects delicate habitats like coral reefs and sandy bottoms, different types of seastars, such as Oreaster reticulatus (the Cushion Sea Star), live. These protected areas help ensure sea stars live without being disturbed by human interaction.
Can You Touch Starfish Safely? Here’s What You Should Know
Some aquariums allow supervised, gentle touching in touch pools. For example, the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Northern California has areas where visitors can briefly touch sea stars while they’re still in water. Even then, staff give clear rules to ensure the animals are not harmed.
Important: Never remove a starfish from the water, even in a touch pool.
Want to know which beautiful sea stars are found in California waters? This blog, 10 Amazing Kinds of Starfish Found in California Waters, covers the very best!
What If You Find a Starfish on the Beach?
One day at TigerTail (Marco Island) in Florida, I told my friend Joseph, a marine engineer, “Sea stars are amazing, but people often disturb them without knowing the harm.” He asked, “What if I find one lying dry at low tide, should I throw it back in the water or leave it?”
I smiled and said, “Use common sense. If the starfish is trapped out of water, gently return it to the ocean but don’t use your hands. Use a clean tool or scoop to avoid passing germs.”
Tips & Best Practices For Observation of Starfish
- Do not pick up starfish for fun or photos
- Some starfish like Crown of Thrones are venomous.
- Do not remove them from the water
- If you see one stranded, return it carefully to the sea with clean tools
- Always respect marine life, look, don’t touch.
- Maintain 30cm minimum distance for photography
- Use underwater cameras or telephoto lenses for close-up images
- Observe natural behavior for 5-10 minutes—sea stars are more active than they appear
- Visit during low tide for optimal viewing opportunities.
FAQs
Conclusion: Look, Don’t Touch
Starfish are not just pretty ocean creatures. They’re delicate animals with complex systems that can be easily harmed by human touch. So, can you touch starfish? The honest answer is no, unless you’re in a supervised aquarium setting. In the wild, even a few seconds out of water or contact with your hands can lead to stress, injury, or death.
The best way to enjoy starfish is by observing them gently and respectfully in their natural habitat. Take photos from a distance, teach others to do the same, and always choose kindness over curiosity. Your small act of care can help protect these incredible sea stars for future generations.
