Osprey Reef facts for kids

This map shows where Osprey Reef is, about 110 km (68 mi) from the Great Barrier Reef.

A beautiful coral garden with a giant clam at Raging Horn, Osprey Reef.

Osprey Reef from above, showing places where scientists studied nautilus.

Osprey Reef is an amazing underwater reef in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. It's like a giant, hidden island under the sea! This special place is part of the Coral Sea Islands.

Osprey Reef is shaped like a big oval. It is about 25 kilometers (16 mi) long and 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) wide. The whole reef covers an area of about 195 square kilometers (75 sq mi). In the middle, there's a calm, shallow area called a lagoon, which is only about 30 meters (98 ft) deep.

This reef sits on top of a very tall underwater mountain called a seamount. The walls of the reef drop almost straight down into the deep ocean, about 2,000 meters (6,600 ft) deep! It's a very isolated spot, far from other reefs.

Unique Marine Life

Osprey Reef is home to some very special creatures. One of them is a small type of nautilus called Nautilus pompilius. These amazing animals are related to squids and octopuses. The nautilus here are unique because they are cut off from other nautilus groups by more than 100 kilometers (62 mi) of deep water.

You can also find one of the world's smallest fish here, called Schindleria brevipinguis. It lives in the calm waters of the reef's lagoon. Osprey Reef is a protected area. It is part of the Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve. This helps keep its unique marine life safe.

Deep-Sea Discoveries

Scientists have explored the deeper parts of Osprey Reef. In 2009, an expedition looked at areas between 92 and 800 meters (302 and 2,625 ft) below the surface. They found ancient groups of animals that are rarely seen.

These included rock sponges, delicate glass sponges, and brachiopods. They also found stalked sea lilies, which look like plants but are actually animals related to starfish. These discoveries show how much more there is to learn about the deep ocean!

Diving Adventures

Osprey Reef is known as an amazing place for underwater diving. Many people call it the "ultimate reef diving adventure." Divers love to visit because of the huge and colorful soft corals that grow there.

Sharks are also very common at Osprey Reef. Divers often see many different types of sharks, making it an exciting place for underwater exploration.

See also

In Spanish: Osprey Reef para niños