coral

plant

trivia

is either the stupidest animal or the smartest rock.

Coral is either the stupidest animal or the smartest rock.

is just a bunch of upside-down jellyfish in limestone cups.

Coral is just a bunch of upside-down jellyfish in limestone cups.

is not a plant, but the product of marine 'insects'.

is not an animal, or a skeleton (which is covered by international trade treaties), but, rather, excreta, and thus not covered.

There is a large and growing world trade in coral reef which is threatening the many creatures that live on the reefs as well as the coral polyps themselves. But the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office has written to the Convention's secretariat. It argues that coral is not an animal, or a skeleton (which is covered by the treaty), but, rather, excreta. It said: "The fact that the coral skeletons are excreta . . . excludes . . . these skeletons as parts of the animals. The fact that the skeletons are structures essential for the survival of the polyp colonies does not change this situation."

coral, n.All

coral