Page 121 - (DK) Super Shark Encyclopedia: And Other Creatures of the Deep

Dorsal fin flutters to propel the seahorse forward Scaleless skin covers bony plates

Male’s pouch swells up when it is filled with eggs Seahorses are named for their upright posture and the shape of their head. They are very slow swimmers, but their entire body is encased in a casing of bony plates,

Seahorse babies get food and oxygen pregnancy. When the time comes he may even suffer hours of contractions Armor plating which gives some protection from predators. Long tail is prehensile, meaning it can be used to grip objects

A LONG BIRTH in their dad’s pouch—just like in a real to release them into the water. TO

than 50 species of
There are more

3 seahorses. The largest ones usually live longer, have longer pregnancies, and produce more babies per brood. 50 YOUNG PER BROOD 15 UP 2,000
1 3 ⁄4 2 1 / 16 – 12 / 16 in/ 0.2–2 cm (young at birth) 9–45 days 40 30 3–12 months (age breeding starts) 12 9

AT A GLANCE • SIZE 1 1 ⁄4–14 in (3–35 cm) long • HABITAT Shallow coastal ocean waters • LOCATION Worldwide • DIET Tiny swimming animals, such as copepods and plankton Head fins used for steering STATS AND FACTS 1 ⁄2 1 ⁄4 in 1 cm DURATION OF PREGNANCY 20 10 days 6 3 months LIFE STORIES

LENGTH
AGE

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