At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Invertebrates
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
Elkhorn coral is a large, branching coral that built much of the structure of shallow Caribbean reefs. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
Like other corals, it is a colony of tiny animals living with symbiotic algae.
Range & habitat
Shallow Caribbean reefs.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Warming-driven bleaching
- Coral disease
- Storms and pollution
Why it matters
A former reef-building powerhouse of the Caribbean, elkhorn coral's collapse reshapes reefs and the coastlines they protect, making it a flagship for reef recovery.
Sources
Sources for Elkhorn Coral
- IUCN Red List — look up Elkhorn Coral (authoritative status)
- NOAA Fisheries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is elkhorn coral a plant or an animal?
An animal — a colony of tiny coral polyps related to sea anemones, hosting symbiotic algae that give the coral much of its colour and energy.
Why is elkhorn coral Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite warming-driven bleaching, coral disease, and damage from storms and pollution, which have caused dramatic declines on Caribbean reefs. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: