An Underwater Garden
When is a garden made of animals? When it is made by tiny animals called corals! Beautiful “gardens” cover the seafloor in warm, shallow parts of the ocean.
Thousands of corals live together in colonies. Coral colonies are made from limestone. The limestone forms a home where the corals live. Coral colonies can be shaped like fans, beach balls, candlesticks, and other shapes. They can be red, pink, orange, blue, green, or purple.
Each individual coral is called a polyp. Corals are actually relatives of jellyfish. Like jellyfish, coral polyps send out special feelers that sting tiny ocean creatures. The polyps eat these creatures.
Together, many corals form a coral reef. Coral reefs are the richest parts of the ocean. They provide a home for countless fish and other ocean animals. Many colourful creatures live and hide in the crevices and tunnels created by coral.