Coral Awareness: Celebrating the Ocean’s Hidden Animals
- Anna Casperin
- Nov 11
- 2 min read
Did you know corals are animals?
Corals are sessile, which means they are permanently attached to the ocean floor and cannot move, similar to the plants we see on land. But unlike plants, corals are actually living animals!
What we think of as a single coral is actually made up of hundreds of thousands of tiny animals called polyps.
Each polyp has a stomach with a single opening, the mouth, surrounded by tentacles. These tentacles serve three main purposes: capturing food (like tiny fish and plankton), defending against predators, and clearing away debris. Waste is expelled through that same opening, making each polyp a tiny, self-contained living animal.
A coral reef is more than just the coral itself. Each reef is a vibrant, living community made up of three main components:
A hard surface: usually rock or other solid material that provides a foundation for coral to attach.
Coral polyps: tiny, individual animals that cluster together and build the reef’s structure over time.
Reef animals: countless species of fish, invertebrates, and other marine life that depend on coral reefs for food, shelter, and breeding grounds.
Corals also form incredible relationships with the world around them:
They protect coastlines by acting as natural barriers that absorb wave energy and reduce erosion.
They support about 25% of all marine life, creating one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth.
They are vital to millions of people worldwide, providing:
Food from reef-associated fisheries.
Income through tourism and recreation.
Medical potential, as compounds found in reef organisms are being studied for new treatments and medicines.
November is Coral Bleaching Awareness Month
This November, I'm highlighting the importance of coral reefs and the threats they face. One of the biggest dangers is coral bleaching, which happens when water temperatures rise and corals become stressed.
During bleaching, corals expel the tiny algae living in their tissues - algae that provide them with food and their vibrant colors. Without these algae, corals can starve and die if conditions don’t improve.
Other threats include:
Ocean acidification, which makes it harder for corals to build their skeletons.
Pollution, overfishing, and destructive coastal development, which harm both corals and the many animals that rely on them.
Recognizing corals as animals helps us understand their vulnerability. They eat, reproduce, and interact with their environment, relying on a delicate balance to survive.
Losing coral is not just a loss of scenery, it’s a loss of living communities that support countless marine species and human livelihoods.
How we can help:
Support marine protected areas and sustainable fishing practices.
Reduce carbon emissions to help slow ocean warming and acidification.
Limit plastic use to prevent reef pollution.
Learn about and support coral restoration projects.
Every action counts. By protecting corals, we protect an incredible web of life and ensure these amazing animals continue to thrive for generations to come.
Stay updated on coral conservation and ways to help, subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on social media! This November, let’s take a moment to celebrate and protect the world’s coral animals.
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