Coral anatomy
Coral reefs are built, layer upon layer, by millions of individual animals. These polyps build an intricate web of limestone on which a reef stretching many miles can be supported. Coral reefs are only found in the clear, shallow water of the tropics, where the warm water and sunlight can provide energy for algae growing inside the polyps. The algae can convert this sunlight into sugars, which is then used by the polyps as food.
Duration:
This clip is from
Featured in...
成人论坛 Nature
Be captivated, informed and inspired by the world's wildlife.
More clips from Coral Seas
-
Small beginnings
Duration: 01:46
-
Mating calls
Duration: 01:54
-
Lobster retreat
Duration: 01:53
-
Sticky starfish
Duration: 01:17
More clips from The Blue Planet
-
A Cruel Lesson—Coasts
Duration: 05:03
-
Small beginnings—Seasonal Seas
Duration: 01:07
-
Deep seabed—The Deep
Duration: 02:11
-
Dumbo octopus—The Deep
Duration: 00:50