Which venomous starfish is named for the biblical crown worn by Jesus?

The venomous starfish named for the biblical crown worn by Jesus is the crown-of-thorns starfish.

The name refers to the animal’s numerous long, sharp spines, which form a crown-like silhouette around its body. Its scientific name is Acanthaster planci. Unlike a snake or cone snail, it does not inject venom through a specialized fang or tooth; its brittle spines pierce skin and release irritating saponins from the tissues.

A puncture can cause sharp pain, bleeding, swelling and nausea, and broken spine fragments may remain embedded in a wound. The animal is also an important coral predator, feeding on the living polyps of hard corals across the Indo-Pacific.

The crown-of-thorns starfish is often confused with harmless decorative names such as the chocolate chip starfish, or with the sunflower sea star, which is a different species. It can have many arms—sometimes up to 21—and its spines cover much of the upper surface.