Dive into a CoralReef!

Coral reefsare home to many ocean animals. They are busy underwater places. Coral reefs are found near the surface of some oceans[PEA1].

A coral reef is home sweet home to many creatures. It is a safe place to live and a great place to findfood[PEA2].

Green SeaTurtles

Green sea turtles can weigh more than 300pounds and grow to about 3 feet long. They can live for a long time—up to 100years!

Most green sea turtles eatplants[PEA3].

ClownFish

Clown fish have trouble hiding becausethey are so bright. To stay safe, clown fishlive

near poisonous1 sea animals. Those animals look likeplants[PEA4]i.

Dugong

Dugongs are plant-eating sea animals. They live near some coral reefs. Dugongs have whiskers and round faces. They are sometimes called seacows[PEA5].

MorayEel

Moray eels are ocean fish that have long, slim, snakelike bodies. They hide in tiny holes throughout coral reefs. Moray eels eat small fish and octopuses.[PEA6]

HammerheadShark

Hammerhead sharks have wide, flat heads. They grow to more than 10 feet long. Hammerheads have triangle-shaped teeth with sharp bumps for chewingfood[PEA7].

1 poisonous: containing poison--a substance that by its chemical action can kill or injure a livingthing

GaryAdkison
HammerheadShark

RegalAngelfish

Regal angelfish live near safe caves of coral reefs. They are brightly striped fish. Angelfish usually swim in pairs. They eat sea sponges or tiny coral reefanimals[PEA8].

CoralClose-Up

Coral reefs are formed by tiny ocean animals called polyps (PAH-lips). When polyps die, their shells are left behind. More polyps grow on top of the shells. In time, the reef gets bigger. Corals come in many shapes, colors, andsizes[PEA9].

  • BrainCoral
  • Fan-ShapedCoral
  • Lettuce-ShapedCoral

Think AboutIt!

Why might it be important to protect coralreefs?

[PEA1]Keep it nice and clean

[PEA2]The coral reef is home sweet home to them.

[PEA3]Green sea turtles weigh is 300 pounds.

[PEA4]It is hard for clown fish to hide because they are so bright.

[PEA5]Dugong are plant eat sea animals.

[PEA6]Moray eel are long slim snakelike bodies.

[PEA7]Hammerhead shark have very sharp teeth and chew food.

[PEA8]Angelfish usually swim in pairs.

[PEA9]Coral reefs are formed by tiny ocean animals called polyps.