The main character, SpongeBob, is a sponge who lives in a pineapple, while his octopus neighbor Squidward lives in an Easter Island head. His other neighbor and best friend (on the other side of Squidward), is a starfish named Patrick, who lives under a rock. SpongeBob's house-pet is a snail named Gary, who sounds like a cat. Although Gary never talks, characters have shown an ability to understand him. In addition to this, underwater worms bark exactly like dogs, and are kept on chains.