Trouble in the Tropics

Earth’s warmer areas are also affected by rising temperatures. Tiny animals called coral polyps build huge reefs in warm ocean water. Reefs come in many different colors. Fish dart around the reefs, and a lot of other ocean animals call coral reefs home. But many coral reefs are in trouble.

Because of global warming, ocean water is heating up. If the water near a reef gets too warm, the polyps die. Then the once colorful reef turns white. When a reef dies, fish have to find new homes, or they will die, too.

A live reef

A dead reef