Corals

Corals are invertebrate animals belonging to a large group of colourful animals called Cnidaria.

Each coral is called a polyp.

Corals form barriers to protect shorelines from waves and storms.

Coral Reef

A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals.

Reefs are formed of colonies of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate.

Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, whose polyps cluster in groups.