Corals Spin Tiny Vortices to Get Oxygen, but Not if It’s Too Hot

Despite their rocky appearance, corals are far more than static rocks—they're complex creatures that need oxygen to survive. Per Quanta Magazine, scientists have discovered corals spin tiny vortices across their surface to obtain that oxygen. When water temperatures spike, however, these vortices collapse, cutting off the supply. The finding exposes a hidden survival mechanism with a critical thermal weakness.

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