Did you know that SpongeBob was inspired by real sea creatures? This Instagram post by @galaxies shows a hilarious photo of a yellow sea sponge and a pink starfish that just happened to be right next to each other. The post went viral online because the sea creatures look just like the well-known cartoon characters SpongeBob and Patrick. Read here to learn more!
Starfish are unique among aquatic life because they have the ability to regenerate an arm when they lose one.
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The Instagram post above features a funny coincidence that amused viewers. The photo was taken during an expedition by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in July 2021. The group made the hilarious discovery of a sea sponge and a sea star sitting together on a rock. After further inspection, the researchers were able to identify their species.
The sea sponge belongs to the genus Hertwigia, and the starfish belongs to the species Chondraster grandis. Identifying the species helped researchers better understand the behavior of these animals. While it may seem like a coincidence that they were next to each other, researchers believe the starfish was actually preparing to feed on the sponge. This is a stark contrast to the original plot of the cartoon.
Hertwigia is a genus of bright yellow glass sponges. These sponges are often associated with SpongeBob due to their resemblance, but they have many unique traits. Their yellow color is one such trait. Yellow is an unusual color for sea sponges, making them stand out. Their skeletons are made of silica, giving their bodies a glass-like structure. Hertwigia sponges inhabit deep ocean waters and are often the prey of sea stars. Chondraster grandis is a species of deep-sea starfish. Just like Patrick, these starfish are known for their bright and vivid colors.
Although pink is the color most similar to Patrick, these starfish can also be red or purple. These starfish are rare, so finding both a sponge and a starfish together is a fun coincidence.
