Seahorses are poor swimmers. They rely on their dorsal fin beating at 30-70 times per second to propel it along. Pectoral fins either side of the head help with stability and steering. The Latin name for the seahorse is Hippocampus which means “Horse Caterpillar”.
Seahorses can range in size from just half an inch to more than a foot in length, depending on the species. They have long snouts that they use to suck up food. They feed mainly on plankton and small crustaceans that drift by. Seahorses eat continually and can consume 3,000 or more brine shrimp per day. Seahorses are among the only animal species on Earth in which the male bears the unborn young. Male seahorses spend most of their lives pregnant. Within days of releasing one brood, males become pregnant again within days. When released, seahorse babies are fully formed, having grown inside their father’s pouch.
Seahorses are declining in number because their homes are becoming destroyed and because of over fishing. They are also very popular as pets and in aquariums.
Picture Credit : Google