Coral - Plant or Animal? More of a... Planimal.

Based on appearances alone, most coral look more like plants than animals. Appearances can be deceiving though, as coral are part of the animal kingdom. Why talk about them here then?

The majority of corals live in shallow, saltwater environments in what we call coral reefs and they require exposure to the sun in order to survive. Some coral are able to catch micro-organisms and small fish but this isn't their main food source. They look like plants and they act like plants - must be an animal!

The reason coral need the sun to survive is actually for the purpose of photosynthesis, but it's not them that does the work. It's more of a contractual, mutually beneficial relationship they have with photosynthetic, unicellular algae known as zooxanthellae. Even the coral that eat other small animals still rely predominantly on zooxanthellae as their primary food source. These unicellular algae live in the tissue of the coral and provide constant nourishment for the coral, who, in return, provides room and board and safety. 

Even algae are not classified as plants, but the majority of them do photosynthesize like plants. In this case, it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and I'm going to call it a duck, or as close to a duck as it gets!

Zooxanthellae, also referred to as Symbiodinium, are the largest group of their kind known to science. Most algae are either free-floating or affixed to a solid surface (rocks, other plants, turtle shells, etc.). Zooxanthellae are unique in that they work together with animals and coexist with them exclusively in order to survive. This type of coexistence is known as endosymbiotic. This living arrangement is not restricted to coral alone, zooxanthellae can also be found in the tissue of sea anemones and jellyfish.



Long story short, coral are innovative, unique creatures that have managed to farm their food right in their bodies. They no longer need to hunt or scavenge, they don't even need to move! Life spent basking in the sun as the landlord for millions of algae who pay you in food - that's an easy life!

NEXT BLOG: A plant that wreaks of death and could swallow your child whole!

Corpse Flower - Bigger Is Better!