Page 45 - World of Animals - Issue #41

Seahorse

LEFT With their Seahorsing around
prehensile tails,
seahorses are able to From multiple babies to mega meals, these critters lead a fascinating life
pick up and hold
items underwater 1 in
1M3 150 54 1,000
The average size The average Number of Baby seahorses
of the territory amount of babies seahorse species are known as fry.
that a male a seahorse will described Less than 1 in
seahorse will have. Some have worldwide, with 1,000 will survive
call home. up to 1,500! more subspecies. to adulthood.
1/2 150 13 MILLION beats per
3-70
YEARS
second
million
Sometimes Number of The age of the Seahorses move
contractions for seahorses oldest known through the water
a male seahorse removed each year seahorse fossils, using their fast-
can last half a day! from their habitat. found in Slovenia. beating dorsal fin.

Males have a brood Seahorses feed 30-50 During mating, a
pouch in which the times per day. They eat seahorse couple
female deposits her tiny crustaceans like perform intricate
eggs for fertilisation. mysis or brine shrimp. dancing rituals.

Many seahorse species Seahorses range from Threats to seahorses
are monogamous – around 1.5-30cm (0.6-12in) include their use in Asian
they stay with the same long. The smallest could fit traditional medicine and
partner for life. on your little fingernail! the pet and curio trades.
Where in the world

Seahorses are found in shallow waters across the world. They prefer
habitats with plenty of underwater vegetation, such as seagrass beds

“Interestingly, they’re the
only animals on Earth

where the males give birth © Thinkstock
to the babies” Seahorse range

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