What is that creature?


The most common question we get about Images 2, 3, & 4 is “What is that?”  

Weedy seadragon and seahorseIn reply, I like to ask:

“What do you think it is?”

 

Almost everyone guesses some kind of seahorse.  This is actually a pretty good answer, as the pictured creature is related to the seahorse and other pipefish, but this is a seadragon. 

 


How do seadragons differ from seahorses?

 

  • Seahorse with coiled tail holding plantThey are not seahorses and differ from seahorses in that they have appendages.  It is from these appendages that the seadragons derive the names weedy and leafy.  These appendages are not used for propulsion, only camouflage.   The seadragons propel themselves with their pectoral and dorsal fins like seahorses.

 

  • Like seahorses, the male carries the fertilized eggs, but in the case of seadragons the eggs are kept under the tail.  Unlike the seahorse, they have no brood pouch for rearing.

 

  • Unlike seahorses that coil their tails and use them to grab objects, the seadragons tails do not coil up.

Where do seadragons live?

 

Leafy seadragonSeadragons are native to the waters of the southern and western coasts of Australia.

 

We have photos of both the weedy and the leafy seadragon, the only two seadragons that are known. 

 


How big can seadragons get?

 

The weedy seadragon is longer than the leafy.  If is not unusual for a weedy seadragon to attain a length in excess of  ~18” but the leafy seadragon is usually under 13”.   The weedy seadragon we display at shows is pretty close to the actual size of the photographed creature.

-Therese & Reid

return to Creatures of the Sea index

 

 

[Wattsphoto home]  [Birds]  [Mammals]  [Reptiles/Amphibians] 
[Flowers]  [Carolinas]  [Country]  [Sea]  [Seaside]  [Ski]  [Wetlands] 
[Northeast]  [West/Southwest]  [Alaska/Western Canada]  [European] 
[Tropics and Palms]   [South America]  [Antarctica]
[Product and Purchase Information]  [FAQ's]  [Care]  [Quotes and Testimonials] 
[Navigation Tips]  [Exhibition Information]  [About the Photographer]

All photographs are available for sale.  Click Here for more information. 

Photographs available on canvas or aluminum by special order.  Call for details.

(904) 563-2907   reid@wattsphoto.com

All photographs appearing on this web site are the property of Reid and Therese Watts and are protected under  United States and International copyright laws.   

The photographs on this site may not be reproduced, stored, or manipulated without the written permission of the photographer.

Copyright © 2006 Reid and Therese Watts, Progeny Ventures and its licensors.  All rights reserved.

Last revised: 09/04/2015 09:46 AM