That's because they need warm water to survive.Ī map shows coral reefs all over the world. You'll find corals in oceans all over the world, but most reefs are found in tropical waters. Even small changes to the water temperature or salt level can destroy them. TIM: That's why we have to be so careful about protecting reefs. In fact, about twenty-five percent of all marine life can be found in coral reefs.Īn animation shows a coral reef with sea creatures swimming in and around it. Reefs provide food and shelter to a huge diversity of animals. TIM: Colonial corals often live as part of a larger super-colony called a coral reef. TIM: The smaller ones tend to be colonial. Coral polyps range from a couple millimeters long to almost thirty centimeters. TIM: The tentacles protect the polyp and help guide food into its mouth, which also excretes waste. Side-by-side animations show the similarities of jellyfish and polyps. TIM: Like jellyfish, polyps have radial symmetry, no head, tentacles around the mouth, and tiny stinging cells called nematocysts. TIM: It's part of the phylum Cnidaria, the same group as jellyfish.Īn image shows Cnidarian phylum as part of the animal kingdom. Instead, they're attached to a hard surface, like a rock, or a shipwreck, or even the skeleton of other corals. Coral are sessile, which means they don't move around. TIM: I know it doesn't look much like an animal, but trust me on this. Coral is basically a round, hollow animal with a mouth in the middle. TIM: Dear Tim and Moby, can you tell me all about coral and coral reefs? From, Ricky. Moby is touching a coral reef and asked Tim not to touch the coral.
Text reads: The Mysteries of Life with Tim and MobyĪ boy, Tim, and a robot, Moby, are underwater observing coral.
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