The underwater world of the coral reef [Hardcover]

Ann McGovern (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1976

Describes the building of coral reefs and the animal life going on around them.

Editorial Reviews

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Danger!

An enemy is near. A big fish is after a foureye butterfly fish. But the big fish can't tell if the butterfly fish is coming or going. The foureye butterfly fish can fool its enemies with the two round black spots on its back that look like eyes.

The butterfly fish is safe - this time.

There is always danger on a coral reef. Fish must eat to live. And many big fish eat other creatures. How do fish protect themselves from danger?

There are good hiding places all over the reef. Some fish live in tiny places where bigger fish can't fit.

Some fish dig up the sand with their fins, making holes to hide in.

Some fish have spines. These are useful in times of danger. Blue tangs have spines near their fins. Sting rays have one or two spines on their tails. Porcupine fish are covered with spines.

Some fish have streamlined bodies that are built for speed. They can swim away from their enemies in a flash.

An octopus shoots out a cloud of black ink. For a moment the ink blinds the octopus's enemy, giving the octopus time to swim to safety.

A group of fish swim by. When one turns, all the fish turn. They swim close together. The group of fish is called a school. Fish in schools are safer than fish swimming alone. Why? A hungry enemy often gets confused and doesn't know which fish to go after.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Four Winds Press; 1st edition (1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590074679
• ISBN-13: 978-0590074674
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,733,216 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ann McGovern is the author of over 55 books for children and sales of her books exceed 30 million. She is the author of the classics STONE SOUP and TOO MUCH NOISE, as well as several IF YOU LIVED... books.