Animals
Coral
Coral
Did you know coral is actually an animal? These vibrant, living animals come in a dazzling array of colors, textures and shapes. Found in oceans around the world — from chilly deep-sea habitats to warm tropical reefs — corals are as diverse as they are essential!
Most corals live in tropical and subtropical waters, where they form massive reef structures teeming with life. While coral reefs are famous for their brilliant colors, the tiny animals that build them — called coral polyps — are actually clear or white. Their vibrant hues come from microscopic, plant-like organisms called zooxanthellae that live inside the coral and help provide it with energy through photosynthesis.
Tropical Corals
Birch Aquarium is home to an impressive collection of tropical corals, many of which you can explore in the vibrant Tropical Coral habitat within the aquarium's newest exhibition, Living Seas. Believe it or not, some of these corals have been thriving at the aquarium for over 30 years! The Bubble Coral and Tongue Coral, both part of the aquarium’s collection since 1988, are among the oldest corals in aquarium care.
Want to learn more about our Tropical Corals? Join us for a Coral Feeding and get to know our vibrant reef residents!
Coral Conservation
Coral reefs play a crucial role in ocean ecosystems. Although they cover less than 1% of the seafloor, they support about 25% of all marine species by offering food, shelter, breeding grounds and more. Beyond that, coral reefs protect shorelines from storms, sustain coastal communities and provide food for millions worldwide. Unfortunately, coral populations are declining worldwide due to threats from climate change, ocean acidification and habitat loss.
Birch Aquarium is deeply committed to coral conservation, working to safeguard these essential animals for generations to come! A leader in coral conservation, the aquarium has been propagating coral through fragmentation for more than 25 years. This work not only advances critical scientific research but also helps alleviate pressure on wild coral populations. To date, the aquarium has shared coral specimens with 16 UC San Diego and Scripps researchers, as well as 13 accredited zoos and aquariums, amplifying efforts to protect and restore coral reefs everywhere.
Research in Action: 100 Island Challenge
The aquarium's Research in Action: 100 Island Challenge habitat doubles as a working laboratory for Scripps scientists to develop techniques and test equipment before traveling to remote locations. The goal of the 100 Island Challenge is to gain a holistic understanding of the current state and future trajectory of the world’s coral reefs by conducting a global assessment of coral reefs and the factors promoting or inhibiting their growth.