Coral, KAWR uhl, is any of a large group of marine animals related to jellyfish and sea anemones. Nearly all coral animals live together in colonies. Most individual corals, called polyps, grow less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter. But a small percentage measure as much as 1 foot (30 centimeters). A coral polyp has a cylinder-shaped body. At the top end is a mouth surrounded by tiny tentacles. Depending on the type of coral, the base of the polyp attaches to other living polyps or to the limestone skeletons of dead polyps. Many kinds of corals create limestone formations called coral reefs. Coral reefs look like lovely sea gardens because of the many colorful sea animals that live among the corals. For more information on coral reefs, see Coral reef.
Cnidarian, ny DAIR ee uhn, is the name of a group of soft-bodied water animals. The group includes the freshwater hydras, hydroids, jellyfish, sea… More>>
Portuguese man-of-war is a floating creature found in warm oceans throughout the world. Although it resembles a jellyfish, it actually consists of… More>>
Gorgonian is a type of coral with a treelike branching form. The coral is formed by individual polyps (water animals) that can withdraw inside a… More>>
Cnidarian
Bermuda Triangle Pictures