THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

By: Allison B.

Facts about the reef It’s the worlds largest coral reef. 60 meters below the surface of eastern

Queensland, Australia. Covers an area larger than 23000 square

Kilometers.

The reef contains: About 1500 species of fish. About 360 species of corals. About 600 species of starfish, sea urchin, and

sea cucumbers. About 500 species of seaweed. About 200 species of birds. About 125 species of sharks. 6 types of turtles. A variety of Mammals including whales, dolphins

and many more.

Some pictures

More Pictures

Newer discoveries - A comb Jellyfish. (left)

Released September 2008.

- Seaweed (Right) called Caulerpa Cupressoides. Released September 2008.

- Green banded snapping shrimp.

(left) Released September 2008.

Newer Discoveries cont. - A colony of smaller animals called Salpae. (Left) Released September 2008.- A pair of fan worms. (Below)Released September 2008.

- A species of slug called Nudibranch. (Right) Released September 2008.

Newer Discoveries cont. - A species of soft Coral. Released September 2008.

6 of the most dangerous animals 1. Box Jellyfish. It possesses powerful venom and stings are

sometimes fatal but the stings can be bearable. 2. Irukandji Jellyfish. Impossible to see. Stings could go

unnoticed for up to a half-hour. 3. Blue Ringed Octopus. The size of an adult hand. The

octopus bites and injects its venom through the bite. Its usually fatal.

4. Cone Shells. If threatened it will fire a harpooned-like dart into the victim. The sting is felt immediately.

5. Stone Fish. 13 spines along the back of the fish inject a highly toxic venom if pressure is applied. The pain is excruciating.

6. Lion Fish. Member of Scorpion family. Threat to swimmers. Sting is painful and instant. Fins double up as lethal spines that penetrate the skin at the chance.

Pictures of 6 of the most dangerous animals <---- Box Jellyfish

Irukandji Jellyfish ----->

<----- Blue-Ringed Octopus

Cone Shell ----->

<---- Stonefish

Lion Fish --

Resources http://animals.about.com/cs/habitats1/a/b

lwl071403.htm http://www.the-great-barrier-reef-experien

ce.com/dangerous-animals-of-the-reef.html