There’s an amazing abundance of plant and animal life found in coral reefs, with new species being discovered each day. The coral itself is a living organism, inhabiting the rock and building up hard exoskeletons around their tiny bodies. Colorful varieties of fish zoom and dart through the masses of coral. Species such as the mandarinfish have flashy blue and yellow striping that distinguishes them against any background. Other fish prefer a camouflaged appearance, blending in with their surroundings so as not to be seen. Predatory fish patrol the waters above, looking for stragglers. Sharks often browse the margins of coral reefs. Sea snakes, with their rudder-like bodies, are remarkably adapted to life in the water and on land. The venom of some sea snakes is among the most toxic on earth! Hundreds of species of seagrass and marine algae make coral reefs their home. Slow-moving invertebrates like sand dollars and starfish make their way through the grasses looking for a meal. This dizzying variety of plants and animals form a complicated and delicate network of life that is rivaled only by the tropical rain forests. Protecting the plants and animals of the coral reef is an important duty in our stewardship of the planet Earth.
Recent Entries
