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Seahorses

  • SEA LIFE, Pirate Reef

These curious group of creatures belong to the Syngnathidae family

Along with Seadragons and Pipefish who are members of the same family, they share some interesting traits; Their jaws are fused to form a straw-like snout, instead of scales they have thin skin stretched over a series of bony plates and they are slow swimmers.

You can discover these amazing creatures as you journey into the Seahorses zone during your visit. Scroll down to find out more!

Seahorses

Perhaps the coolest thing about this group is that the males brood their babies! A male Seahorse has a brooding pouch on its belly into which a female can place her eggs. After a few weeks when the babies are ready, the male Seahorse gives birth. He rocks back and forth like a rocking-horse whilst the tiny baby seahorses pop out from a small hole in his tummy.

Baby Seahorse
Seahorse breeding

Pygmy Seahorses

Are as tiny as your little fingernail, but Big-belly Seahorses will be even bigger than your hand!

Their Ancient Greek name is Hippocampus, which means ‘horse sea monster’. But we don't think our seahorses are monsters at all!

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