The National Aquarium is closed today, Monday, September 15, 2025, for a facilities-related issue. There is no threat to any animals. Thank you for your patience!
Wallpaper Wednesdays: Coral Close-Up
What we think of as a single coral is actually hundreds to thousands of individual polyps, which are easier to see when you zoom in.
- Multimedia •
- Animals
Freshen up your home screen with our one-of-a-kind wallpaper featuring a close-up photo of great star coral.
Mobile & Desktop Devices Pretty Little Polyps
Corals are animals that begin life as free-floating larvae that attach to hard surfaces where they grow into polyps. Each polyp has a "mouth" where food enters and waste exits. The mouth is surrounded by tentacles that help capture prey.