Creatures of the Coral Reef

Welcome to the wondrous undersea world of the coral reef, now under stress from climate change. Learn how scientists are seeking solutions and what people can do to help.

Imagine being a butterflyfish, living in warm waters, surrounded by strange rocky shapes in all colors. Some are long and branching, others resemble big round stones or lacy fans. This is the coral reef, full of burgeoning life, home to brightly colored fish, shrimps, octopuses, jellyfish, sea turtles, even sharks. In this rainbow-tinted world, millions of tiny creatures live inside little animals called coral polyps, producing food from which coral reefs grow and sustaining the butterflyfish and others in turn. Until, that is, something goes wrong—like when water temperatures rise, resulting in “coral bleaching” that leaves the beautiful formations a ghostly white. Martin Jenkins’s engaging prose and Jason Cockcroft’s brilliant illustrations introduce children to the wonders of a coral reef, while back matter delves further into the basics of climate change, how it affects the reefs, and positive steps we can take.