Just How Great Is It?
The Great Barrier Reef is actually a collection of reefs! There are 2,900 of them and 900 islands within the Great Barrier Reef. It is the world’s largest coral reef system. To put that in perspective, it is about half the size of the state of Texas! The Great Barrier Reef is so massive that it can be seen from outer space. It is the biggest structure in the world made by living organisms. According to The Reef Research Centre, there are remains of coral in the Great Barrier Reef that are as old as 500,000 years old!
Located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, The Great Barrier Reef is composed of billions of coral polyps. Coral polyps are tiny organisms related to sea anemones and jellyfish. They construct reefs by attaching themselves to a rock on the ocean floor and rapidly multiplying.
Who Lives In The Great Barrier Reef?
- Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises – More than 30 species of them!
- Clownfish
- Coral Trout
- Six species of Sea Turtles
- Saltwater Crocodiles
- Over 215 species of birds!
