Did you know that coral is animal life?

Coral is an animal life form. Although it might resemble plants or even rocks, coral is composed of thousands of tiny organisms called polyps. These polyps belong to the phylum Cnidaria, which also includes jellyfish and sea anemones. Each polyp is a small, soft-bodied animal, usually only a few millimeters in size, and together they form large colonies that create coral reefs.

Coral polyps have a symbiotic relationship with algae called zooxanthellae, which live inside their tissues. The algae provide the polyps with energy through photosynthesis, while the polyps offer the algae protection and access to sunlight. This relationship is crucial for the survival of coral reefs, which are some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet.

Coral reefs play a vital role in marine ecosystems by providing habitat and shelter for many species, protecting coastlines, and supporting fishing and tourism industries.

The photo accompanying this article was taken by Greg Goebel via flickr.com.