Where Are Foraminifera Found?

Foraminifera, or forams for short, are single-celled organisms that live in the open ocean, along the coasts and in estuaries. Most have shells for protection and either float in the water column (planktonic) or live on the sea floor (benthic).

Are foraminifera found worldwide?

Foraminifera can be found in oceans worldwide, living either on or buried below the sea floor or as free-floating plankton at the water's surface. The amoeboid cell of a foram contains a hard, internal shell or test that is divided into chambers.

What zone is foraminifera in?

Foraminifera are single-celled organisms that are found in most marine environments, from the shallow intertidal zone to the deep ocean.