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Coral Seas

Episode 6 of 8

David Attenborough narrates a natural history of the oceans. Developed over centuries, coral reefs house fragile ecosystems, but they too have to fight to survive.

Amazingly beautiful and complex, coral reefs develop from humble beginnings. Tiny larvae settle and then over hundreds of years the intricate and fragile reefs that we so enjoy grow, inch by inch. Reefs are adorned with spectacularly colourful life, but it is no tropical paradise. Space is at a premium and even the coral itself fights to survive. And then, at night, the sharks come out to hunt. Layer upon layer the coral supports innumerable animals, but one big storm can threaten the entire community.

Available now

58 minutes

Last on

Sun 8 Sep 2024 10:30
CBBC

More episodes

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Seasonal Seas

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Tidal Seas

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Clips

See all clips from Coral Seas (8)

Credits

Presenter David Attenborough
Producer Martha Holmes
Series Producer Alastair Fothergill

Broadcasts

  • Wed 17 Oct 2001 21:00
    BBC One
  • Sun 21 Oct 2001 14:55
    BBC One
  • Thu 15 Nov 2001 02:20
    BBC One
  • Sat 9 Feb 2002 20:00
    BBC Knowledge
  • Thu 14 Feb 2002 00:40
    BBC Knowledge
  • Thu 30 May 2002 19:00
    BBC Four
  • Tue 18 Nov 2003 01:40
    BBC One
  • Tue 17 Aug 2004 01:30
    BBC One
  • Sun 21 Nov 2004 15:35
    BBC One
  • Sun 7 Oct 2007 18:00
    BBC Two except East, Scotland, South East & Yorkshire
  • Sat 13 Aug 2011 19:00
    BBC Four
  • Sun 14 Aug 2011 02:55
    BBC Four
  • Sat 21 Jul 2012 19:00
    BBC Four
  • Sun 22 Jul 2012 02:40
    BBC Four
  • Thu 4 Apr 2013 16:15
    BBC Two HD, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland & England only
  • Thu 11 Dec 2014 13:10
    BBC Two HD, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales & England only
  • Mon 20 Feb 2017 15:25
    BBC Two Scotland, Northern Ireland, England & HD only
  • Mon 18 Dec 2017 17:00
    BBC Two HD, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales & England only
  • Wed 17 Oct 2018 15:45
    BBC Two Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, England & HD only
  • Fri 8 Sep 2023 19:00
    BBC Three
  • Sun 10 Sep 2023 16:20
    CBBC
  • Sun 8 Sep 2024 10:30
    CBBC

Celebrating Attenborough at 90

Celebrating Attenborough at 90

A celebration across the BBC of Sir David’s extraordinary career so far.