| The Great Barrier Reef is the largest natural feature on the planet. Stretching more than 2,300 km along Australia's East Coast, the Great Barrier Reef is home to thousands of plants and animals that are found no where else on the planet. On Australia's West Coast the Ningaloo Reef is 260 km of shallow, brilliant blue water. More than 500 species of fish and 250 species of coral call the Ningaloo Reef home along with the world's largest living fish species, the Whale Shark. The Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef are both amazing habitats for countless creatures and an incredible place for any visitor to explore. Did You Know? - 30 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises live in, or visit Great Barrier Reef waters.
- Humpback whales pass through every year. They are the fifth largest animal in the world, as big as 600 people.
- Irrawaddy and Indo-pacific humpback dolphins live close to the coast of Queensland all year round. They feed on fish in shallow waters, especially in estuaries or river mouths.
- Some of the largest populations of dugongs in the world live on the Great Barrier Reef.
- Over 200 species of birds (including 40 species of seabirds) live on the Great Barrier Reef.
- Six breeding species of sea turtles live on the Great Barrier Reef.
- Six of the seven species of sea turtles in the world are found on the Reef: Green, Leatherback, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Flatback and Olive Ridley.
- 14 species of sea snakes live on the Great Barrier Reef
- 1500 species of fish live on the Great Barrier Reef
- The biggest fish on the Great Barrier Reef would be the visiting whale shark which can grow to about 12m long.
- 5,000 species of molluscs live on the Great Barrier Reef
- 400 species of coral live on the Great Barrier Reef
Source: http://www.reef.crc.org.au/discover/plantsanimals/facts_plantanimal.htm
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