Page 76 - DK Children's Encyclopedia

Coral reefs SEE ALSO

▸ ▸ Animal homes
p.23

Coral reefs are underwater structures where many plants ▸ ▸ Fish p.101
and animals live. They are made by tiny animals called ▸ ▸ Invertebrates
corals that grow hard shells. When they die, the shells p.139

remain and new corals grow on top of them. Some coral ▸ ▸ Oceans and seas
p.187
reefs can grow very big. ▸ ▸ Vertebrates p.266

Coral reef Great Barrier Reef
Coral reefs cover only a tiny Trigger fish eat coral, Green sea turtles This reef is home to more than 1,500
different types of fish. It is the
part of the ocean, but are using strong teeth that have sharp beaks longest reef in the world and is
home to nearly a quarter of crush the corals’ shells. to break off found off the east coast of Australia.
all ocean life. The reefs are seagrasses to eat.
full of food for sea creatures.

Tiny clown fish This red coral forms
live among the a branchlike shell.
tentacles of
anemones. These hawkfish hide
The organ pipe among the coral,
coral has feathery swimming out to grab
tentacles that small fish and shrimp.
trap food.

Anemones have
swaying tentacles
that sting fish if they
get too close.

The shells of these
corals are covered in
small black spines.

Banded coral shrimp
are small animals that
feed by cleaning the
skin of fish.

Blue corals join Fan corals bend and Many small animals
together to form sway in the water, use the seagrasses
columnlike groups. If threatened by other
animals, reef crabs catching food. as hiding places.
pretend to be dead.

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