Why are coral reefs so colorful?
Coral reefs are colorful because corals have tiny helpers and bright colors inside them.
Pip’s answer
- Coral reefs are colorful because corals have tiny helpers and bright colors inside them.
- Tiny plant-like helpers live inside corals and make food from sunshine.
- Scientists think some bright colors help corals block too much sunshine.
- Wow-ee, lots of bright fish live there too, like a rainbow city!
For grown-ups
Corals are animals that host tiny algae called zooxanthellae inside their tissue. The algae make food from sunlight and give corals much of their color, while corals also make their own pigments, some of which may act like sunscreen. When stressed by heat, corals lose their algae and turn white, called bleaching.
Ask your child: How many colors of fish can you name that live on a reef?
More questions kids ask
- 🐟Why do fish swim in groups?
- ⭐Why do starfish have five arms?
- 🌊Why is the ocean blue?
- 🌊Why is the sea salty?
- 🐟How do fish breathe underwater?
- 🐚Why do seashells sound like the ocean?
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