How to Draw an Acropora

In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw an Acropora in 4 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.

The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.

Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.

At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Acropora.

Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.

How to Draw an Acropora - Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Let's begin our coral reef. This is where many underwater species make their homes! Draw a tentacle by making a bumpy branch and leaning it to the right. Leave a gap.

Step 3: Draw a third tentacle like the the second, but only partly visible and on the left side.

Interesting Facts about the Acropora

Acropora is a species of branching colonial coral. This coral is found in the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the central Indo-Pacific, the East China Sea, and the Pacific. Acropora lives at the depths of 5 to 25 meters in shallow, tropical reefs. Corals have a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae algae. The algae live in the coral’s tissue and provide it with nutrients produced through photosynthesis. The coral may also feed on zooplankton. Acropora are sensitive to changes in water temperatures. Any increase greater than one or two degrees Celsius can stress the coral, causing bleaching. Bleaching is when the coral expel the zooxanthellae and turn white.

Did you know?

• Acropora are reef building corals. They have light skeletons with allow them to grow quickly.
• This coral is thought to reproduce both sexually and asexually.
• Climate change is the main threat to Acropora.
• Acropora is popular in the aquarium trade.
• Acropora thrives in water that is 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
• This coral can be green, pink, blue, purple, or yellow.

Lesson plan note: Give each child a piece of blue construction paper and have them color an ocean scene with coral reefs. They can use markers, colored pencils, or crayons. Then, give each child some glue, and let them glue designs onto their reef. Sprinkle various colors of glitter onto the glue. Let dry. Once dry, hang each reef picture onto the bulletin board to create a large coral reef scene. If you are able, you can also visit your local aquarium to view these beautiful corals!