 | Oceans Live '97 Surprises of the Sea!
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Shells and Coral - What's the difference?
Both shells and coral are animals!
 Shells belong to the group of animals
known as molluscs. Molluscs build shells
around themselves as their protection from
other sea animals. They do this by taking
calcium out of sea water and turning it into a
stony material similar to limestone.
Whereas...
 Corals belong to the group of animals
called polyps (check glossary). In the same way
as molluscs, polyps can take calcium out of
sea water and turn it into a protective
covering. The covering is open at the top,
and is their exoskeleton (check glossary).
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