How do sea stars eat prey like clams?

Sea stars use a surprisingly unusual feeding method. Their tube feet can grip and slowly pull apart the shells of bivalves such as clams and mussels. Once the shell opens enough, the sea star everts its stomach through its mouth and releases digestive enzymes onto the prey. The partially digested tissue is then absorbed, and the stomach retracts afterward. This process lets sea stars feed on animals that would be hard to swallow whole.