1 Topic, 5 Facts: Coral

1 Topic : 5 Facts  How well do you know the ocean?

This regular feature will help acquaint you with our blue planet.

Topic: Coral

1. Coral are invertebrate animals related to jellyfish and sea anemones. Each polyp, or individual animal, has tentacles equipped with nematocysts, tiny-stinging cells.

2. Corals are generally colonial animals, although there are some solitary species.

3. Hard corals that contribute to the structure of a coral reef are known as hermatypic corals.

4. Corals that are solitary or do not contribute to reef building are known as ahermatypic corals.

5. Corals get their color from their symbiotic zooxanthellae. Without the zooxanthellae coral would appear white like their calcium carbonate exoskeleton as the polyps are clear.

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