Page 221 - Atlas Of The World's Strangest Animals

SEAHORSE 221

Seahorses can breed at any time of the year, especially in isn’t carrying the eggs of any other female inside.This
warmer, tropical seas, but in the cooler north they tend to elaborate ‘courtship’ can last up to eight hours and
be restricted to spring and summer. It’s then that these culminates with the female inserting her ovipositor (egg-
little lotharios start to look for love, and a couple that are laying tube) into the male’s gaping pouch.The male then
interested in each other quickly make the fact known. releases his sperm.The fertilized eggs embed themselves
Once seahorses have paired up, they spend much of their in the pouch wall, where they are cared for until they are
time with their tails entwined, promenading and dancing, fully developed.
often changing colour as they swim, side by side.All this Birth begins with a series of muscular contractions that
bonding has a serious side. Seahorses may breed many eject the tiny seahorses into the water – and beyond. Now
times during the season and they need to be certain of they’re on their own, and the male prepares himself to
their partner’s fidelity and staying power. Eventually, when mate again by flushing out his pouch with cleansing sea
both parties are satisfied, a full-blown courtship display water.This remarkable process may be repeated up to six
ensues. During this, the male pumps water into his brood times during the year, and the male will almost always
pouch, to push it open, as if to reassure his mate that he return to the same female.

This female seahorse’s body is loaded with eggs,which attracts Entwining their tails, the two begin an elaborate courtship
the attention of a determined male. dance, bobbing together through the water, cheek to cheek.

Impressed by his dancing prowess, the female lays her eggs in Depending on the temperature, it can take one month for the
the male’s brood pouch and he releases his sperm. father to give birth to dozens of tiny babies.

(c) 2011 Marshall Cavendish. All Rights Reserved.