Page 220 - Atlas Of The World's Strangest Animals

220 ATLAS OF THE WORLD’S STRANGEST ANIMALS

throughout the body. Unlike most fish, they swim upright,
Seahorse habitats
using a small dorsal fin, like a stabilizer, to keep them
vertical as well as to propel them forwards. In most fish,
dorsal fins are made of thin tissue supported by rods of
cartilage, but the seahorses’ fin is an extension of its
backbone. Pectoral fins behind the eyes help them to steer.
This odd ‘design’ means that seahorses are poor swimmers
and are often found amongst clumps of sea grass or coral,
with their prehensile tail wrapped around foliage to keep
them stationary.
Their eyes are positioned on either side of the head and
can be swivelled in the socket, like a chameleon’s (see
pages 26–29).This gives seahorses a wide field of vision
and helps them to look out for predators and prey.
Although they’re small, their bony skin offers some
protection from danger, as does their natural camouflage.
Most seahorses come in ‘sea shades’ – browns, greens and
yellows, which easily blend in with the marine
environment.They are able to change their skin colour,
too, but are just as likely to do this in social situations as
to protect themselves from danger.
These graceful marine ‘horses’ are one of the most The seahorses’ oddest physical characteristic, though, is
distinctive and easily recognized species of fish.They’re also their most famous. It is the males, not the females,
also one of the oddest. who give birth.The reason for this is uncertain, but it’s
Seahorses get their common name because they look possible that it enables more matings to take place.
like miniature horses, but that’s where any resemblance
ends.These beautiful animals are bony fish, with a Pairing up
backbone, though no scales. Instead, their thin skin is The sight of a pair of courting seahorses is one of the
stretched over bony plates, which are positioned ocean’s most moving spectacles.

Comparisons

Hippocampus hippocampus (the common seahorse) is the basic but the leafy sea dragon (Phycodurus eques) is undoubtedly the master
seahorse ‘model’, but these handsome creatures come in all sorts of of cryptic camouflage. Its bizarre leafy growths keep it safely hidden
weird and wonderful ‘designs’. Striking colours, strange spines, crests amongst the seaweed.
and manes all help keep these tiny water ‘horses’ hidden from danger,

Common seahorse, Maned seahorse, Golden seahorse, Leafy sea-dragon,
Hippocampus hippocampus H. ramulosus H. kuda Phycodorus eques

(c) 2011 Marshall Cavendish. All Rights Reserved.