Coral Reefs

• Topic
• Special Education

Coral Reefs

What are coral reefs? 

Coral Reefs

What is coral? What are coral reefs?

Millions of creatures live on a coral reef, including: Fish, octopuses, sea turtles, lobsters, star fish and sea horses. 

Coral reefs were first formed millions of years ago. Most coral reefs in the world today are between 5,000 and 10,000 years old.

Corals are made up of tiny animals called Polyps. 

Coral reefs are mostly found in shallow waters in tropical oceans. 

Corals eat algae and small animals called plankton. They have small stining tentacles which they use to cathc they prey. 

Coral reefs are very useful! They clean the water that they live in, they are a brilliant habitat for many sea creatures, they are used in many different medicines and they protect the coastline during a storm. 

Coral reefs are in danger. There are many reefs which are dying or being damaged. Some coral is losing its bright colours and turning white, which is called coral bleaching. Bleaching is often related to climate change  - too much sunlight and waters are too hot for the coral. 

The Great Barrier Reef is on the coast of Australia and the largest coral reef in the world and can be seen from space. It is 1250 miles long!

Name one animal which might live on a coral reef:

Are coral reefs meant to be white?

Where is The Great Barrier Reef?

1. England
2. Spain
3. Australia
4. New Zealand

Why are Coral reefs in danger?