Tiny animals build Earth's largest living structures
Tiny coral polyps construct Earth's vast, biodiverse reefs by secreting calcium carbonate skeletons, creating essential underwater cities now threatened by ocean acidity.
Coral reefs, massive underwater cities, are built by tiny marine animals called coral polyps. These small creatures, related to jellyfish, secrete hard calcium carbonate skeletons. Over generations, these accumulated skeletons form the vast frameworks of reefs, like Australia's Great Barrier Reef, which is so large it's visible from space.
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