Staghorn Coral, Swim Free and Thrive!

Corals are cnidarians, in the same large family as anemones. There are more than a thousand coral species worldwide, but the best known are the stony corals, like staghorns, which make skeletons of calcium carbonate. What looks like one organism is actually a colony made of tiny coral polyps that look like tiny anemones. Inside each polyp live plant-like cells called zooxanthellae that produce food from sunlight, supplying energy to the coral. In turn, the coral polyp supplies the zooxanthellae with nutrients from the ocean and shelter. It’s these zooxanthellae that are sensitive to the increase in ocean temperatures.

Hope for Corals in Crisis – Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Reef Refugia - bioGraphic

conservation, CEI Blog

Elkhorn coral - Wikipedia

Bonaire: Where Coral and Cactus Thrive, and the Sea Soothes the Soul - The New York Times

Coral Comeback: Restoring Coral Reefs

Reef Refugia - bioGraphic

Here's How Our Fossil Fuel Addiction is Killing Coral Reefs, Earth Focus, News & Public Affairs

Endangered Staghorn Coral

Coral Reef Swim (@coralreefswim) • Instagram photos and videos

Protect Yourself, Protect the Reef (U.S. National Park Service)

Maiô Coral Carnival Girls - Planet Mermaid

Coral reef that 'shouldn't exist' thrives off B.C.'s Pacific Ocean, biologist says

School of fish swimming near a reef Wall Art, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints, Wall Peels