Coral oceans Primary I Ages 7-11 Adaptation on the reef Lesson 6

Lesson 6: Adaption on the reef Learning objectives Identify specific adaptations used by living things on the reef Explain the need for adaptation for survival List a range of adaptations on the reef Apply knowledge of adaptation to create the ultimate coral animal

How many stonefish can you see? Lesson 6: Adaption on the reef How many stonefish can you see?

Lesson 6: Adaption on the reef 3 2 Can you see them now? 1

Lesson 6: Adaption on the reef It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most able to change Charles Darwin

Lesson 6: Adaption on the reef These big-eyed trevally are extremely fast swimmers. This means that they can escape from bigger predators.

Lesson 6: Adaption on the reef Sea cucumbers have a defence trick of launching their guts out of their anus to scare of predators. Sea cucumbers are designed a bit like hoovers, sucking up the sandy bottom and taking out any food.

Lesson 6: Adaption on the reef As we saw before, some animals use camouflage to hide from predators and to sneak up on prey, like these stonefish.

Lesson 6: Adaption on the reef Mantis shrimps hide in small holes in the reef, waiting to ambush their prey. They use their claws to smash or spear small fish

Lesson 6: Adaption on the reef This starfish has a special way of eating coral, by sucking onto the coral and throwing up its stomach and special enzymes to dissolve the coral polyps. The crown of thorns starfish is covered with spines and is also poisonous to protect it from predators.

Lesson 6: Adaption on the reef This parrotfish has a special ‘beak’ to scrape the coral and algae from the reef. Why do you think it is called a parrotfish?

Lesson 6: Adaption on the reef This parrotfish has developed a safe way of sleeping. At night it envelopes itself in a mucus bubble. This stops predators smelling it out on the reef.

Lesson 6: Adaption on the reef Can you see how this manta ray is designed to ‘sieve’ the sea for microscopic algae and animals?

Lesson 6: Adaption on the reef How is this tiger shark designed to survive on the reef? How does it get its food?

Lesson 6: Adaption on the reef This clownfish has developed a symbiotic relationship with the sea anemone. The sea anemone provides protection from predators, and the clownfish wards off other fish who try to eat the anemone.

Now complete your dive log: Lesson 6: Adaption on the reef Now complete your dive log: Why is your design the ‘ultimate coral animal’? Describe your animal and how it is adapted to survive on the reef.

Photo credits All images and photos XL Catlin Lesson 6: Adaption on the reef Photo credits All images and photos XL Catlin