Kingdom : Animalia Class : Anthozoa Family : Alcyonacea Scientific Name : Anthozoa Size : 1cm - 3cm (0.4in - 118in) Life Span : 15 - 30 years Colour : Multi-coloured Skin Type : Porous Distinctive Features : Variety of colours and full of holes for species to hind in
- Surprisingly, Corals are marine animals found across the oceans of the world.
- They are very similar to anemones and appear to be half-animal and half plant.
- There are around 70,000 species of coral found in the world.
- They are mostly found in the warm tropical climates of the southern hemisphere.
- There are broadly two sub species depending on the number of their tentacles.
- The species with eight tentacles are called Alcyonaria like the soft coral, sea fans and sea pens.
- The corals with more than 8 tentacles are called Zoantharia and are found in Coral reefs.
- Corals get most of their nutrients from algae and also feed on small fish and plankton with the stinging cells on their tentacles.
- They need sunlight to grow and are found growing in clear shallow waters (around 200ft deep).
- Depending on the species they may live from 3months to 30 years.
- The species forming extensive coral reefs live longer than the softer corals found on their own.
- Interestingly, The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is made of coral polyps and stretches over 1,600 miles in length!
- They play a vital role in maintaining the diverse marine life.
- They are the meeting and breeding ground for thousands of animals especially fish.
- They also provide great hiding space for animals from their predators.
- The biggest threat to corals is growing human activities and natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis.