#giant barrel sponge
The oldest Giant Barrel Sponges studied have been estimated to be over two thousand years old. Sponges in general have been around for over 500 million years, predating all terrestrial plant life. They filter and purify a tremendous amount of sea water, as well as provide habitat for smaller animals to live on and in. A healthy number of sponges is integral to the health and survival of coral reefs. Because of their long lifespans and role in the ecology of reefs, some consider them the to be the Redwood trees of the ocean - photo taken at Shadow Reef, Misool, Halmahera Sea
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