Seahorses
Seahorses have excellent eyesight and, because seahorses have independently moving eyes, they can literally look at two different things at once. They can even look forwards and backwards at the same time!
Seahorse's Tails
Even though seahorses are now classified as a bony fish, they do not have scales and they are not considered to be good swimmers. Fortunately they have a prehensile tail which allows them to grip onto objects like plants. Gripping onto plants with their tails allows them to hide and can also stop them from being swept away with strong currents.
Male seahorses also use their tails for fighting.
Male seahorses also use their tails for fighting.
Photo credit and special thanks to Rick Sanders for this great shot of seahorses.
Seahorse Camouflage
Seahorses are very good at hiding, using their tails to help them hide among plants is not the only way they can camouflage themselves. Seahorses can also change colour so they blend in with their surroundings and some seahorses even have unusual growths that make them harder to spot.
Seahorse Anatomy
You can have a look at seahorse anatomy here (click on the illustration to find out about each body part)
Seahorse Facts
- I read that sea horses have no teeth and they simply suck their food up through their snout, a bit like a vacuum cleaner!
- Seahorses have no stomach
- It is the male seahorse, not the female, who gives birth to young. You can find out more about seahorse pregnancy here
- Seahorse is the title given to many species of marine fish in the genus Hippocampus. I found a list of species here
Seahorses in Action!
Would you like to see some seahorses in action? Here are some clips I collected for you.
