The Great Barrier Reef is home to 215 species of birds (including 22 species of seabirds and 32 species of shorebirds) that visit the reef or nest or roost on the islands. In fact, this reef is visible from space. The sea level continued to rise during a warming period as glaciers melted. Out of the 360 species of coral found in the area, 22 types of coral are currently classified as endangered species. While they share a "last common ancestor" with modern elephants, dugongs are cousins to the manatee. With an estimated 1500 and possibly as many as 2000 species of fish on the Great Barrier Reef, it is easy to understand why they leave us in absolute awe. Seven species of sea turtles frequent the Great Barrier Reef: the green turtle, loggerhead turtle, hawksbill turtle, flatback turtle, Pacific ridley turtle, and leatherback turtle. The 15 species of seagrass found along the reef attract the dugongs and turtles and provide habitats for the fish. The sprawling reef can be seen from space and is not only the world's largest coral reef system but also the largest structure on Earth made by living organisms. Most occur in the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef and are attached to high islands such as the Whitsunday Islands. Today, about 15 sea snakes are endemic to the Great Barrier Reef, including the large olive sea snake and the banded sea krait. A tourism hotspot, approximately 2 million people visit the Great Barrier Reef every year, according to the Australian government. The vibrant colours of the Great Barrier Reef coral are striking, with vivid reds and cool blues coexisting side by side to form an underwater rainbow which has to be seen up close to be properly appreciated. Encompassing more than 86 million acres, the park stretches for more than 1200 miles along the Queensland coast. Great Barrier Reef Animals – The Great Barrier Reef, found off the coast of Queensland, Australia is the largest structure on earth, made from living specimens. So, about 60% of seabirds are choosing The Great Barrier Reef as a place to breed and to be exact the place it self is in the marine park. This ecosystem is also notable for zig-zag oysters, octopuses, squid, cowries (the shells of which were once used as money by Australia's indigenous tribes), bivalves, and sea slugs. Measuring a mere cubic centimeter (about the same size as a green pea, pencil eraser tip, or a chocolate chip), the Irukandji jellyfish, is one of the world’s tiniest—and most venomous jellyfish species. Thank you for signing up to Live Science. Approximately 89 percent of The Great Barrier Reef is dead or dying. As an animal of course they will look for a cozy habitat to breed and grow. Well saying that the Great Barrier Reef is a Coral Reef it must be made up of a lot of Coral. The Great Barrier Reef is a mosaic of 2,900 individual reefs off the coast of Queensland in northeast Australia. This period, which occurred from about 26,500 years ago to 19,000 to 20,000 years ago, ushered in significant environmental changes in the region, including a dramatic drop in sea levels. © All of these turtles—like many animals of the reef—are currently classified as either vulnerable or endangered species. Cresentic reefs — shaped like crescents as the name implies — are the most common shape of reef in the middle of the system. The runoff problem is made worse by the loss of coastal wetlands along the Queensland coast, which act as a natural filter for toxins. But many of these species could be pushed to the brink by global climate change.To combat the slow and painful death of the Great Barrier Reef, scientists are … The reef is home to fish of both of ends of the spectrum- from small bait fish through to the largest varieties of sharks on earth. They are smaller fish, with the smallest around 7 to 8cm long and the longest 17cm long. Longcomb Sawfish A coral reef consists of coral polyps, which are animals in the jellyfish family, along with algae called zooxanthellae. Home to over 1500 different species of tropical fish and other variants, the Great Barrier Reef is teeming with life. Pollution is another concern, as another oil spill occurred in 2010, when the Chinese coal-carrying ship Shen Neng1 ran aground on the reef, leaking a 1.86-mile-long (3 km) ribbon of oil and destroying precious coral and marine life. 4 5. Great Barrier Reef Sharks. Here's a rundown of indigenous creatures—including fish, corals, mollusks, echinoderms, jellyfish, sea snakes, marine turtles, sponges, whales, dolphins, seabirds, and shorebirds—that inhabit one of the world's most complex ecosystems. The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area is divided into 30 bioregions that consist of different types of reefs. While both humans and natural life are having a negative impact on the reefs prosperity, the reef is so diverse that until now, it has been able to overcome a lot of these destructive forces. how many endangered species are there in the great barrier reef? Bob Strauss is a science writer and the author of several books, including "The Big Book of What, How and Why" and "A Field Guide to the Dinosaurs of North America. [Image Gallery: Great Barrier Reef Through Time]. About 5,000 species of mollusks live on the reef. For many of the visitors to the Great Barrier Reef it is the beautiful fish that make the whole eco system so interesting. About 600 different types of coral can be found in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and all of them come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours. Humpback whales also travel from Antarctica to give birth in these waters. Meanwhile, there are some sponge species that help recycle calcium carbonate from dying corals. I need to know the population of Green Sea Turtles however I can't find the number anywhere, just the number of different species that live there. The Great Barrier Reef is home to about 360 species of hard coral, including bottlebrush coral, bubble coral, brain coral, mushroom coral, staghorn coral, tabletop coral, and needle coral. In fact, this reef is visible from space. This richness and uniqueness make the reef crucial for tourism and the Australian economy—it … These are 17 Endangered Species in the Great Barrier Reef that you will never regret to find out. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest expanse of coral reef on the entire planet. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest structure on earth made by living organisms. There are many types of Animals and Plants that live on the Great Barrier Reef. Fishes Around 1625 of bony fish species including important commercial species such as coral trout. The Great Barrier reef off of Australia. Coral is the reason for the area's name: the Great Barrier Reef; which is the largest coral reef in the world. But those aren’t the only species to be wary of. These connect, creating a colony that functions as a single organism. The only reliable remedy is maintaining populations of the crown-of-thorn's natural predators, including the giant triton snail and the starry puffer fish. The more than 1,500 species of fish inhabiting the Great Barrier Reef range from tiny gobies and larger bony fishes, such as tusk fish and potato cods, up to massive cartilaginous fish such as manta rays, tiger sharks, and whale sharks. THERE ARE MORE than 600 coral species in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which covers 344,400sq.km of ocean. While other species of sharks are considered to be an issue, reef sharks are typically pretty harmless. The coral bleaching events that have devastated the Great Barrier Reef in recent years have also taken their toll on the region’s fish population, according to a new study. Common Animals: Fish : There are over 1,500 species of fish in the Great Barrier Reef. Fact: Six species of sea turtles come to the reef to breed. Seventeen species of sea snake live on the Great Barrier Reef in warm waters up to 160 feet (49 meters) deep and are more common in the south than in the northern section. Satellite image shows islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Please refresh the page and try again. Twenty-two species of seabirds live on the islands within the Great Barrier Reef marine park. The exception is the crown-of-thorns starfish, which feeds on the soft tissues of corals and can cause drastic declines in coral populations if left unchecked. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our, Crown-Of-Thorns Starfish Are Gorgeous Killers, How the Sixth Mass Extinction Affects the U.S. Economy, Animals Most Endangered by Global Warming. As coral colonies die, new ones grow atop the limestone skeletons of their predecessors, creating the reef's three-dimensional architecture. These connect, creating a colony that functions as a single organism. The most spectacular and entertaining cetacean of the Great Barrier Reef is the humpbacked whale. Large populations of dugongs, large marine mammals that are relatives of the manatees, make their home along the reef. Their natural predators are sharks and also saltwater crocodiles that venture into the region only occasionally—but often with bloody consequences. There are more than 100 recorded species of jellyfish in the vicinity of the Great Barrier Reef, including the infamous stinging blue bottles and box jellyfish. Predating dinosaurs, Jellyfish are some of the Earth’s oldest creatures. While jellyfish lack brains or hearts, some, including the box jellyfish, can see. Lagoonal reefs are found in the southern Great Barrier Reef, and further north, off the coast of Princess Charlotte Bay. Many endangered species can also be found in the reef-along with sea turtles that breed on the reef. Marine turtles are partial to feeding on several of the Great Barrier Reef's indigenous jellyfish species, while some smaller fish use them as protection, swimming in tandem with them and hiding in the tangle of their tentacles to ward off predators. Saltwater crocodiles live in mangrove and salt marshes on the coast near the reef. Most have white details. Great Barrier Reef Sharks. Reefs on Australia's continental shelf have taken on many forms, depending on the sea level, and the current formation is about 6,000 to 8,000 years old. A few common fish in the Great Barrier Reef include the angel fish, parrot fish, butterfly fish, clown fish, groupers, and sharks. There are several reasons to explain why they are endangered. On Heron Island alone, you can find birds as diverse as the bar-shouldered dove, black-faced cuckoo shrike, Capricorn silver eye, buff-banded rail, sacred kingfisher, silver gull, eastern reef egret, and white-bellied sea eagle, all of which rely on the nearby reef for their nutrition. See also: Most of the continental islands were submerged, and the coral remained to form the reefs and cays (low-elevation sandy islands) of today. More than 1,500 fish species live on the reef, including the clownfish, red bass, red-throat emperor, and several species of snapper and coral trout. There are around 512 extant (or living) species of sharks and rays in our oceans. One of the most commonly found species in the Great Barrier Reef is the white tip reef shark. Like all reptiles, sea snakes are equipped with lungs, but they can absorb a small amount of oxygen from water and have specialized glands that excrete excess salt. For these 70 or so clan groups, the reef is also an important cultural feature. Wherever there are fish and mollusks, there will be pelagic birds, which nest on nearby islands or the Australian coastline and venture out to the Great Barrier Reef for frequent meals. The Great Barrier Reef is home to around 134 sharks and rays, which represents 27% of all living sharks species. Green, loggerhead, and hawksbill turtles nest on coral cays, while flatback turtles prefer continental islands, and the green and leatherback turtles reside on mainland Australia, only occasionally foraging as far out as the Great Barrier Reef. Marine biologists believe there are at least 5,000 and possibly as many as 10,000 species of mollusks inhabiting the Great Barrier Reef, the most visible being the giant clam, which can weigh up to 500 pounds. ", ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. The white-bellied sea eagle and roseate tern are frequently sighted. A vast array of marine life is dependent on the Great Barrier Reef, such as whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and about 5,000 species of mollusks. Lucky visitors can catch glimpses of the five-ton dwarf minke whale and the bottlenose dolphin, which like to travel in groups. Corals are colonies of tiny polyps, which are animals related to sea anemones and jellyfish.A reef begins when a polyp attaches to a rock on the seabed and divides into clones. The clownfish can be many different colours, depending on its species, including yellow, orange, red, and black. The land that forms the base of the Great Barrier Reef is the remains of the sediments of the Great Dividing Range, Australia's largest mountain range. The northern part of the Great Barrier Reef features ribbon reefs, which are narrow and winding, and deltaic reefs, which, as the name implies, resemble river deltas. There are about 60 species of seabirds that occur in The Great Barrier Reef. 1 Coral polyps, the animals primarily responsible for building reefs, can take many forms: large reef building colonies, graceful flowing fans, and even small, solitary organisms.Thousands of species of corals have been discovered; some live in warm, shallow, tropical seas and others in the cold, dark depths of the ocean. About 600 different types of coral can be found in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and all of them come in a … These sharks share the reef with over 1,500 species of fish, rays which includes manta rays, turtles and many other underwater creatures. Today, upwards of 50,000 dugongs are believed to be in the vicinity of Australia, an encouraging upturn in numbers for this still-endangered sirenian. This includes 1400 species unique to coral reefs. Damselfish, wrasses, and tusk fish are among the most abundant fish on the reef. Coral forms the backbone of the Great Barrier Reef with over 400 species that play a huge part in making up the visual splendour that has contributed to its worldwide fame. The Great Barrier Reef stretches more than 1,600 miles (2,575 kilometers) — a little more than the distance from Boston to Miami. During tropical floods, runoff containing fertilizer and pesticides is dispensed into the reef's waters and harms its delicately balanced ecosystem. The Great Barrier Reef is home to possibly the largest number of shark species in the world. According to the Australian Institute of Marine Science and other scientific research, the current reef began to form during the Last Glacial Maximum. These types of reefs are found surrounding Lizard Island as well as far north of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and in the Swain Reefs. Fact: 215 species of birds (including 22 species of seabirds and 32 species of shorebirds) visit the reef or nest or roost on the islands. The relatively warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef make it a favored destination for about 30 species of dolphins and whales. [Images: Colorful Corals of the Great Barrier Reef]. White Tip Reef Shark via flickr/Tchami. Corals provide essential habitat structure and energy in coral reef systems, facilitating the existence of numerous reef associated species. In return for a cozy, safe place to live, the algae provide the building blocks polyps need to survive and make limestone to build the reef structures. The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, is home to more than 1,500 species of fish, 411 species of hard corals and dozens of other species. Stretching 2300 kilometres along the north-east coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is home to a whopping 1625 types of fish, 600 types of soft and hard corals, 133 varieties of sharks and rays and more than 30 species of whales and dolphins! Of course, jellyfish aren’t fish at all, but rather a gelatinous form of invertebrate zooplankton (Cnidaria), whose bodies are comprised of as much as 98% water. Coral is a living organism and it is a carnivore which means they eat meat. The Great Barrier Reef is home to more than 1,500 species of fish, 411 types of hard coral, one-third of the world’s soft corals, 134 species of sharks and rays, six of the world’s seven species of threatened marine turtles, and more than 30 species of marine … Some of these marine mammals ply the waters virtually year-round, others swim to the region to give birth and raise young, while others simply pass through during their annual migrations. Creatures of the Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system that is full of beauty. 2 Two thousand species of fish, four thousand species of mollusks, and six of the world’s seven species of sea turtles, as well as sharks call the Great Barrier Reef home. After all, they are “reef” sharks!When people hear the word “shark“, some fear comes right along with it. Mollusks are a widely divergent order of animals, including species clams, oysters, and cuttlefish. The reefs are vital to the survival of several endangered species, so much so that in 2004, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) increased the amount of highly protected zones by almost 30 percent. On average, these sharks are around 6 feet long. As you might have guessed, this massive organism provides food and shelter to a large number of animals.. The Great Barrier Reef's 600 or so species of echinoderms—the order that includes starfish, sea stars, and sea cucumbers—are mostly good citizens, constituting an essential link in the food chain and helping maintain the reef's overall ecology. The vast structures that result do more than awe snorkelers. Home to over 1500 different species of tropical fish and other variants, the Great Barrier Reef is teeming with life. The reef is home to fish of both of ends of the spectrum- from small bait fish through to the largest varieties of sharks on earth. image copyright Schmidt Ocean Institute Although coral reefs have been around for over 500 million years, the Great Barrier Reef is relatively young at 500 000 years, and this most modern form is only 8000 years old, having developed after the last ice age. The Great Barrier Reef is home to 215 species of birds (including 22 species of seabirds and 32 species of shorebirds) that visit the reef or nest or roost on the islands. […] The freed calcium carbonate, in turn, ends up being incorporated into the bodies of mollusks and diatoms. Indo-Pacific coral reefs are home to over 600 species of hard corals (also called stony corals or scleractinian corals), and 4000-5000 species of reef fishes (Veron 2000, Lieske and Myers 2001). — Kim Ann Zimmermann, LiveScience Contributor. All sea snake species are venomous but are much less of a threat to humans than terrestrial species such as cobras, Eastern corals, or copperheads. There was a problem. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer. The most common species of shark is the White-tipped Reef Shark. The Great Barrier Reef is about 500,000 years old, but it hasn't always looked as it does today. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 133 species are found along the Great Barrier Reef and range from small, cryptic species such as the epaulette shark to large, migratory species such as the whale shark. Thirty species of whales, dolphins and porpoises have been recorded in the Great Barrier Reef, including the dwarf minke whale, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, and the humpback whale. The most common types of seagrasses are Halophila and Halodule. The Great Barrier Reef, which extends for over 2,300 kilometers (1429 miles) along the northeastern coast of Australia, is home to over 9,000 known species.There are likely many more—new discoveries are frequently being made, including a new species of branching coral discovered in 2017. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is one of the most famous aquatic parks in the world. Aboriginal Australians have been living in the area for at least 40,000 years, and Torres Strait Islanders since about 10,000 years ago. The other threats to put this species in endangered species in the Great Barrier Reef are including intensive and species-specific removal in the live reef food fish trade and destructive fishing techniques, such as bombs and cyanide. Corals are colonies of tiny polyps, which are animals related to sea anemones and jellyfish.A reef begins when a polyp attaches to a rock on the seabed and divides into clones. Images: Colorful Corals of the Great Barrier Reef, Image Gallery: Great Barrier Reef Through Time, Epic time-lapse shows what the Milky Way will look like 400,000 years from now, Watch SpaceX test a giant 'Starship' over Texas today [UPDATED], Archaeologists find vast network of Amazon villages laid out like the cosmos, Sprawling 8-mile-long 'canvas' of ice age beasts discovered hidden in Amazon rainforest, The strange story of how nuns uncovered 'House of Jesus' in Nazareth. The box jellyfish has 24 “eyes” (visual sensors) two of which are capable of interpreting and differentiating color. Also known as stony corals, hard corals congregate in shallow tropical waters and help build coral reefs, growing in various aggregations including mounds, plates, and branches. Although they're not as visible as other animals, the 5,000 or so species of sponges along the Great Barrier Reef perform essential ecological functions that pave the way for new generations and maintaining the reef's overall health. New York, These 134 species of shark share the reef with about 1,500 species of … The reef includes Lady Elliot Island and the smaller Murray islands. The largest coral reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef off the northeastern coast of Australia, consists of more than 2,900 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, 300 coral cays, and thousands of animal species. Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, NY 10036. The current structure is approximately 6,000 to 8,000 years old. The park contains approximately 3,000 different coral reefs and coral islands, and it supports an incredible collection of wildlife species. Great Barrier Reef Animals – The Great Barrier Reef, found off the coast of Queensland, Australia is the largest structure on earth, made from living specimens. The Great Barrier Reef has long been known to and used by the Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These large, vaguely comical-looking mammals are strictly herbivorous, feeding on the numerous aquatic plants of the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef, which extends for over 2,300 kilometers (1429 miles) along the northeastern coast of Australia, is home to over 9,000 known species.There are likely many more—new discoveries are frequently being made, including a new species of branching coral discovered in 2017. There is widespread concern that such intense tourism might be harming the fragile reefs. How many species of sharks are there in the Great Barrier Reef? The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority estimates there are around 1625 species of fish living in and around the Great Barrier Reef. Reef sharks are not always lingering around the Great Barrier Reef, however, they are known to show up! You will receive a verification email shortly. Over 1,500 species of fish are inhabiting the Great Barrier Reef. In general, sponges are near the bottom of the food chain, providing nutrients for more complex animals. There are also blennies, butterflyfish, triggerfish, cowfish, pufferfish, angelfish, anemone fish, coral trout, seahorses, sea perch, sole, scorpionfish, hawkfish, and surgeonfish. There are more than 134 species of sharks that live in and around this huge reef system. There are about 600 hard and soft coral. Despite looking like plants, these corals are actually colonies of very small animals called coral polyps which are closely related to jellyfish. The area of wetlands in the Great Barrier Reef catchment has decreased by over 50 percent, according to the Great Barrier Reef Coastal Wetlands Protection Program. While other species of sharks are considered to be an issue, reef sharks are typically pretty harmless. This richness and uniqueness make the reef crucial for tourism and the Australian economy—it … The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, covers nearly 133,000 square miles and is home to more than 1,500 species of fish, 411 species of hard corals and dozens of other species. Massive cartilaginous fish such as… There are more than 134 species of sharks that live in and around this huge reef system. The amazing array of coral on the Great Barrier Reef is responsible for many of the bright and beautiful colours that this natural icon is internationally renowned for. Visit our corporate site. As you might have guessed, this massive organism provides food and shelter to a large number of animals.. Six species of sea turtles — the green sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, flatback turtle, and the olive ridley — come to the reef to breed. Flat reefs known as planar reefs are found in the northern and southern parts, near Cape York Peninsula, Princess Charlotte Bay and Cairns. Fact: Seventeen species of sea snake live on the Great Barrier Reef. Stay up to date on the coronavirus outbreak by signing up to our newsletter today. Marine biologists believe this creature’s complex sensory array makes it one of only a handful of species on the planet to have a full 360° view of the world around it. Fringing reefs, which attach to the mainland, are infrequent. It covers an area of 133,000 square miles (344,400 square km), reaching from the Torres Strait at it northernmost point to Fraser Island in the south. The coral bleaching events that have devastated the Great Barrier Reef in recent years have also taken their toll on the region’s fish population, according to a new study. There are two main types of corals — hard and soft. The Great Barrier Reef is home to about 360 species of hard coral, including bottlebrush coral, bubble coral, brain coral, mushroom coral, staghorn coral, tabletop coral, and needle coral. About 13,000 years ago, the sea level was 200 feet (61 meters) lower than the current level, and corals began to grow around the hills of the coastal plain, which had become continental islands. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Reef sharks are not always lingering around the Great Barrier Reef, however, they are known to show up! The Great Barrier Reef is home to possibly the largest number of shark species in the world. After all, they are “reef” sharks!When people hear the word “shark“, some fear comes right along with it. The Great Barrier Reef, which is located off the coast of Australia, is home to thousands of living species. THERE ARE MORE than 600 coral species in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which covers 344,400sq.km of ocean. Sometimes reputed to be the source of the mermaid myth, Dugongs are often thought to be closely related to dolphins and whales. The Great Barrier Reef supports over 1500 species of fish, 400 species of coral and 4000 species of molluscs just to name a few! Declining water quality is a major factor in the pollution of the Great Barrier Reef. This pales in comparison to sharks such as the great white, which can reach up to 20 feet in length! Fact: Thirty species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises have been recorded in the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef supports a vast array of life forms. See also: Ocean Sediments; Smallest Dolphin in the World; Ocean Relief; 9. 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To 20 feet in length, 22 types of reefs eat meat capable of interpreting and color. Last Glacial Maximum creating a colony that functions as a single organism consists of coral polyps are... Sometimes reputed to be an issue, Reef sharks are considered to be the source of the to! Orange, red, and Torres Strait Islander peoples full of beauty contains approximately 3,000 different reefs. Ventured toward the sea part of the Great Barrier Reef these corals are actually colonies of small... Of course they will look for a cozy habitat to breed and grow dead or.... The manatee whales also travel from Antarctica to give birth in these.... And turtles and many other underwater creatures animals of the Great Barrier Reef to 134! And other scientific research, the Great Barrier Reef world Heritage area is divided into bioregions... 1625 of bony fish species including important commercial species such as coral trout Sediments... Island and the longest 17cm long ``, ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with Great! Hearts, some, including yellow, orange, red, and have... Of seagrasses are Halophila and Halodule been living in the world 22 types of animals, including box. Southern part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher of.