Bermuda has the most northern coral reef in the Atlantic Ocean. The warm waters of the Gulf Stream keep the sea temperature to a minimum of 65F (18C), allowing corals to survive. A coral is formed by many polyps, creating a colony. Hard corals are created by polyps growing on the skeletal remains of the previous colony.

One way for corals to reproduce is by division. Polyps divide to build new colonies. Another way is by synchronously releasing sperm and eggs into the water. Some spawnings are so large that they are visible from space.

* Thanks to Jeffrey Porter for providing the specimen
* Thanks to Dr. Wolfgang Sterrer for identification assistance

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Photo © 2008 by George Lin