what animals live in the great barrier reef

what animals live in the great barrier reef

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Nature

The Great Barrier Reef is home to an extraordinarily diverse array of marine animals, including:

  • Six species of marine turtles, such as green, hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback, flatback, and olive ridley turtles.
  • Numerous coral species that build the reef’s structure.
  • Clownfish, known for their symbiotic relationship with sea anemones.
  • A variety of sharks including reef sharks, hammerheads, tiger sharks, and the giant whale shark.
  • Rays such as manta rays and stingrays.
  • Dugongs, gentle marine mammals often called "sea cows."
  • Over 1,500 species of fish including parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, Maori wrasse, potato cod, and red bass.
  • Giant clams, the largest living bivalve molluscs.
  • Dolphins and whales, including humpback whales which migrate through the reef.
  • Other creatures like sea stars, sea cucumbers, jellyfish, sea snakes, and various mollusks.
  • Numerous species of birds that nest on the islands of the reef.

These animals collectively make the Great Barrier Reef one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems on the planet.

In summary, the Great Barrier Reef hosts turtles, clownfish, sharks, rays, dugongs, whales, dolphins, giant clams, a vast variety of fish, coral species, and many other marine animals.

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