Do you think seahorses are magical too? There is something about having a head like a horse, a tail like a monkey, and skin color that can change like a chameleon. It doesn’t surprise me that Poseidon is the father of horses in Greek Mythology!
Seahorse Facts
Did you know that father seahorses hatch the eggs?! Male seahorses have special pouches for the eggs and part of the courtship routine to win a female includes inflating their pouch by pumping water through it to display its emptiness in order to entice the female to deposit her eggs in it.
The eggs develop in the pouch for two to six weeks, depending on species and temperature, until they become fully formed juveniles called fry. When the male seahorse is ready to give birth, he has muscular contractions to expel the young from the pouch. I wonder if the contractions are as painful as human ones.
Newborns measure between two and twelve millimetres, depending on species. The number of young produced ranges between 100 and 200 for most species, but can be as low as 5 for the smaller species, or more than 1,500 for larger species. from The Seahorse Project
There is amazing biodiversity of seahorses too because camouflage plays an important part in the ecology of the seahorse. Did you spot the seahorse? What do you think this seahorse resembles? This is the Leafy Seadragon.
How about this seahorse? What do you think it looks like? This is the Weedy Seadragon. The weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) is found off the coast of Australia and looks like a cross between a kangaroo, a seahorse, and a bit of seaweed.
There are only 35 known species of seahorses and they mostly reside near Australia, China, and the Philippines. But their magical appearance also puts them in danger since they are sought after as medicine and souvenirs. They are also sold for aquariums in North America but most of these seahorses are juveniles where they usually die within a short period.
Seahorses also face habitat degradation and destruction due to coastal development, marine pollution, coral reef destruction, and land-based deforestation. Deforestation leads to increased siltation in surrounding marine waters, thereby suffocating sea grass beds and killing coral reefs. information from Endanged Species International
Seahorse Lifecycle Unit
Want to learn more about seahorses or do a home study unit? Try A Seahorse Lifecycle: Father Knows Best! from Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Seahorse Books for Kids
Mr. Seahorse by Eric Carle
Mr. Seahorse truly becomes pregnant. Mrs. Seahorse lays her eggs in Mr. Seahorse’s belly and he takes care of them. He’s not the only father on duty. Mr. Tilapia carries his babies in his mouth. Mr. Kurtus keeps his babies on his head and Mr. Catfish watches his babies. This is the perfect first picture book to learn about seahorses! [picture book, ages 2-6]
Fry to Seahorse (Lifecycles) by Camilla de la Bedoyere
This nonfiction picture book uses full-spread photographs to detail the interesting life cycle of the seahorse including the father’s hatching the eggs in their bellies! [nonfiction picture book, ages 5 and up]
The Secret Sea Horse (Mermaid Tales) by Debbie Dadey
Dadey’s Mermaid Tales series focuses on the relationships between the young mermaid girls at Trident Academy but this one slips in a pet seahorse and whether or not they are happier swimming freely. It’s a subtle way to draw girls into science! [easy chapter book, ages 6 and up]
Seahorses have a fascinating origin story that explains why they’re found in every ocean
The 2,000-Baby Squeeze: How male seahorses deliver their young
p.s. Related posts:
Are Crabs Crabby? And Other Egregious Misconceptions
Top 5 Picture Books on Ocean Pollution
Will Jellyfish Take Over the Oceans?
6 Books on Light Pollution and the Night Sky
10 Picture Books About Women Scientists Who Became Activists
Visiting Shedd Aquarium in Chicago
Science Internships for High School Students
Shark Week Books and Videos for Kids
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I love seahorses and seadragons; there is something very mystical and zen about them. Beautiful creatures.
Hi Elle,
They are so beautiful, aren’t they? I never get tired of watching them! Thanks for your comment Elle!
My children and I had a collection of seahorses in our home for a while. They are truly fascinating creatures to watch!
Hi Barbara,
What a treat to have a collection of seahorses in your home in an aquarium!
I love seahorses so much, too. I could stare at them all day, those crazy little beasts.
Hi Jeanette,
There is something magical about them. A horse of the sea!
I feel so lucky that we go to Monterey Bay Aquarium at least twice a year. I love their seahorse exhibit!
Hi Natalie,
I think the Monterey Bay Aquarium is the best aquarium in the world! We have the New England Aquarium in Boston but it’s not as good though I did see a seahorse exhibit here as well.
i did not know seahorses changed colors! how did i not know this? wow. thanks for sharing Mia. loved the videos.
Hi Rae,
Seahorses changing color was new information for me too! They are fascinating! I’m glad you liked the videos Rae! I’m learning to edit a little tiny bit in YouTube.
Seahorses fascinate me. We need to get to the Monterey Bay aquarium to see their seahorse exhibit!
Hi MaryAnne,
Your kids will love the Monterey Bay Aquarium! And you are less than an hour away!
I love seahorses and included some in a draft of an old pb manuscript. This is making me want to edit that story next. Thanks, Mia!
Hi Catherine,
Oh, please do edit your picture book manuscript! I haven’t read many picture books about sea horses and would love more to be on the shelves!!!!
I love seahorse so much,these are very beautiful (color ,shape). Thank you so much , Mia!
Hi Fariba,
I love them too!
I immensely like seahorses as they are amazing creatures exhibiting the weird phenomenon of male pregnancy.
Seahorses are best aquatic animals.
Hi Sonia,
I find seahorses fascinating too! I’d love a aquarium full of seahorses and jelly fish! Even more so than tropical fish!
Hi Sonia,
Me too! Seahorses just look like a creature out of a fantasy or mythology!