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Article: Coral Reefs.
- Article from:
- Science Weekly
- Article date:
- April 30, 1999
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1999 Science Weekly, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Coral reefs are often called the "rainforests of the sea." Do you know why? Both coral reefs and rainforests are ecosystems-communities of plants and animals that live together in harmony. Both are colorful worlds filled with thousands of different kinds of plants and animals - so many that scientists have not discovered them all!
Where Do Corals Grows?
Coral reefs are like busy underwater cities constantly filled with activity. They only grow in the warm, clear, shallow, salty waters of tropical oceans and seas. Coral reefs are built by tiny animals called coral polyps (POL lips). Polyps resemble little upside down jellyfish, For protection, they build ...