what is coral

Coral is a type of marine animal belonging to the phylum Cnidaria, which also includes jellyfish and sea anemones. Corals are colonial organisms made up of many individual animals called polyps. Each polyp is a small, tube-shaped structure with a mouth surrounded by stinging tentacles used for catching prey and defense. There are two main types of coral: hard corals and soft corals. Hard corals build calcium carbonate skeletons, which accumulate to form coral reefs, while soft corals do not produce rigid skeletons and often appear feathery or tree-like. Corals are vital to marine ecosystems as they create complex habitats that support thousands of species of fish and other sea life. Most reef-building corals have a symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae, which live inside their tissues and provide energy to the coral through photosynthesis. This relationship enables corals to thrive in clear, shallow, sunlit waters. In summary, coral is not a plant but an animal that often forms large colonies, some of which build coral reefs that are essential to ocean biodiversity and human economies.