Crown+of+Thorns

media type="youtube" key="toAdCtHXqsE" height="316" width="387" align="left" them. -They range throughout a variety of different colors. -Only one of the species of sea stars that eats coral. [] [] [] [] http://australian-animals.net/crown.htm
 * Common Name:** Crown of Thorns
 * Phylum:** Echinodermata
 * Scientific Name**://Acanthaster planci//
 * Class**:Asteroidea
 * Location**: Off the West Cost of the Americas. The West part of the Indian Ocean. And the Red Sea.
 * Size:** Can get up to 20 inches across. They also have two inch long poisonous spikes all over
 * Description of Habitat:** They live in Coral Reefs. Allowing them to have a constant out pour of food (the coral Reefs)
 * Living Requirements:** These animals need to be around coral reefs because e they supply its food. They also prefer warmer waters.
 * Life Cycle:** Hatches into phytoplankton. Once it has grown into half a millimeter in size it attaches to a rock. Once they have reached about 1 millimeter in size, which is abut two days, they will detach from the rock. The Crown of Thorns stops growing once it is about 3 or 4 years old. The exact life span is unknown but the have lived for a maximum of 8 years in an aquarium. (Fertilization occurs outside of the female body).
 * Male and Female Differences?** Basic sexual reproduction organs. Males have sperm sacs and females have ovaries.
 * Fun-Filled Facts:**
 * Human Impact**: Our destruction of the Coral Reefs effects the population of the Crown of Thorns. They are not yet endangered.
 * Information and Picture Resources: (Zookeeper: Paige Ryder)**