by Leann Zotis

Created on: July 09, 2011   Last Updated: September 21, 2011

The oceans are full of exotic and graceful creatures that have no comparison to the living beings that walk the earth or fly through the skies.  Many interesting creatures have been discovered under the sea and many more have yet to be discovered.  One of many wildly appealing members of the marine life family is the seahorse.  Not to be confused with any mammal of the earth, seahorses are definitely

fish.  Their breathing apparatus consists of gills.  They have a fin at the base of their tail, as well as another fin under the belly and one on each side of their face, behind each cheek. They possess a swim bladder to maintain buoyancy.  They have an actual bone for a spine, which categorizes them in the same class as cod or tuna.

In spite of their classification as fish, seahorses are poor swimmers.  They prefer to stick to a single location, attaching themselves to coral or seaweed. Although not fast, they are versatile.  With the rapid beating on their fins they can move in any direction, up, down, forward or backward. 

Because of a rather primitive digestive system, where food passes through their bodies quickly, the seahorse spends most of its existence eating.  Plankton and tiny crustaceans are their primary diet.

If there is one unique characteristic about seahorses that makes them stand out among the vast number of creatures of the earth, it would be the fact that male seahorses are the ones who carry the young and give birth to the next generation.  In this monogamous couple it is the female seahorse who deposits eggs through an oviduct directly into a brood pouch in the male.  The male then latches on to coral or seaweed with its tail and prepares for the birth of the young.  Gestation is several weeks in duration.  A series of contractions at the moment of birth delivers the baby seahorse into the water where it begins life looking like a miniature replica of the parents. 

Seahorses are neither fast moving nor aggressive.  Their basic method of self-preservation is their ability to camouflage themselves to blend with their surroundings.  Some can even change color to better fit in with the sea life around them.

The seahorse, like so many grand and unusual creatures of the earth, is in danger of extinction.  Their unique appearance makes them desirable additions to home aquariums or as souvenirs in beach town gift shops.  Their natural habitats are endangered by pollution and fishing nets.  There may soon come a day when our only knowledge of this gracious, exotic sea creature comes from what we read in text books or see on nature programs on television.

Learn more about this author, Leann Zotis.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.