How Long Does It Take for Corals To Open Up?
In the animal kingdom, there are few creatures as unique as corals. Corals are marine invertebrates that live in colonies of many individuals. The colony is held together by a calcium carbonate exoskeleton. Each individual coral has a soft body with tentacles that it uses to capture prey. Corals are found in warm, shallow waters around the world.
Corals are fascinating creatures to observe. One of the most interesting things about corals is how long it takes for them to open up. When a coral is first born, it is in a larval stage. The larva floats in the water and eventually settles on the ocean floor. Once the larva settles, it undergoes a metamorphosis and becomes a polyp. The polyp is the stage of the coral’s life when it begins to grow its exoskeleton. It takes about two years for a coral to grow its exoskeleton and become an adult.