Dive Into Your Imagination

Do you know what octo means? In Latin, octo means eight. Many species in the ocean have Latin names for identification purposes. Count the eight tentacles on this coral polyp. How many do you see? That is right, EIGHT! Eight tentacles on the polyp helps us identify octocoral colonies.

Coral needs sunlight and warm, clean water to grow. Octocoral live in colonies. Different species of coral fight one another for space on a reef. There are lots of other animals that take shelter in coral reefs. Below is an octocoral crab. He uses coloration to camouflage (hide) amongst the octocoral colony.

Although many coral species look like plants, they are animals, opening and closing their polyps to catch plankton floating by in the ocean current. They are voracious predators that stun their prey with poisons. animals, opening and closing their polyps to catch plankton floating by in the ocean current. They are voracious predators that stun their prey with poisons.

Scientists study coral reefs to figure out how the poison they have may apply to science and medicine to help us.

Visions of the Sea Visions of the Sea DVD allows you to experience the most amazing life on our planet while either listening to an award winning sound track or inspirational stories of Annie’s experiences around the world. Visions of the Sea takes you face to face with Wh

REACH REACH What would you dare to dream if you knew you could not fail? Octocoral, Indonesia

GRATITUDE Kelp frond, California

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