Unusual Reproduction in the Wild
Seahorse are absolutely amazing creatures. They are beautiful creatures that can camoflage and change color to blend in with their environments. This is probably used as a defensive weapon due to their miniature size. They only grow to a few centimeters in length and can survive up to five years at the most. You can find these small fascinating creatures around the coral reefs and in the sea grass. They either hang on the branches of sea weed or sponge with their tails. Prager, descibes them best by stating that the seahorse is a "weird animal in the ocean that combines the head of a horse, the pouch of a kangaroo, a chameleon's swiveling eyes, and the prehensile tail of a monkey" (Prager, E., p.96). Seahorse have to constantly eat in order to continually survive. The Green Insider explains, "Since seahorses have no teeth and no stomach, food passes through their digestive systems very quickly"(Green Insider, Article p.1). It is believed that the seahorse must constantly eat in ordered to survive. They live off plankton and small crusteans.
The seahorse is classed as a bony fish because it has a swim bladder to help with it bouyancy and gills for breathing. They are very romantic and seductive creatures that dance and perform for their mates before intercourse takes place. Once the female is ready to accept her lover she puts her snout upright to let her mate to left him know she is ready. With excitement he kicks his tail out several times before they join at the belly and mating begins. Now this is where things are a little different from norm. The female injects her eggs through a tube into the males kangaroo like pouch and fetilization takes place. Although mating is not at all as lengthy as their seductive dance the job is complete and the male goes away to prepare for the next several weeks of pregnancy. These creatures tend to be monogomus and at times will stay with the one mate for the rest of their life. What female whether human or animal wouldn't want to have a relationship that is both monogamous and devoted in their life time. Seahorses are able to give birth to hundreds some times even thousands of babies at a time.
The seahorse is classed as a bony fish because it has a swim bladder to help with it bouyancy and gills for breathing. They are very romantic and seductive creatures that dance and perform for their mates before intercourse takes place. Once the female is ready to accept her lover she puts her snout upright to let her mate to left him know she is ready. With excitement he kicks his tail out several times before they join at the belly and mating begins. Now this is where things are a little different from norm. The female injects her eggs through a tube into the males kangaroo like pouch and fetilization takes place. Although mating is not at all as lengthy as their seductive dance the job is complete and the male goes away to prepare for the next several weeks of pregnancy. These creatures tend to be monogomus and at times will stay with the one mate for the rest of their life. What female whether human or animal wouldn't want to have a relationship that is both monogamous and devoted in their life time. Seahorses are able to give birth to hundreds some times even thousands of babies at a time.
Why They Matter
All though their beauty is very fascinating and they are too cute to even think about becoming someone's snack or aphrodisiac to enhance love making in males. Prager states, "Seahorse have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to cure anything from broken bones to asthma, ulcers and weak libido" (Prager, H., p. 108- 109). The Green Insider states, "The species are now considered vunerable to extinction, they are in danger of being wiped out"(Green Insider, Article p.1). We must do our part to protect these facinating creatures. They are not only interesting to the point where the male not only seduces and romances his partner but he can be monogamous and remain devoted throughout his life. Prager states it best, "No matter how bizarre or commonplace, big or small, shallow or deep, all fish play an important role within the oceans' sea of life". (Prager, H., p. 107)
References
Family, Trees and Shrubs. Photo retrieved from: http://foldedsky.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html
Female White's Seahorse, depositing eggs into male's pouch. Retrieved from: http://australianmuseum.net.au/image/Female-Whites-Seahorse-depositing-eggs-in-the-males-pouch/
Flickriver, "Potbellied Seahorse. Photos" retrieved from website April 13, 2013, http://www.flickriver.com/photos/7916953@N06/popular-interesting/
Prager,Ellen. "Sex, Drugs, And Sea Slime". 2011
The Fragile Beauty of a Seahorse. Retrieved from website April 13, 2013, http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/animals/news-amazing-and-romantic-seahorse
The Green Insider, "The Seahorse's Last Race".. Photo retrieved from: http://thegreeninsider.cominformation/the-seahorse-last-race/
You Tube: Male Seahorse giving birth at the Deep Hull. Retrieved from: http:// www.youtube.com/watch?V=MsHCqrrU-GK
Young Seahorses, New South Wales, Australia 1994. Photo retrieved from: http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/enlarge/sea-horses-group-grall_pod_image.html
Female White's Seahorse, depositing eggs into male's pouch. Retrieved from: http://australianmuseum.net.au/image/Female-Whites-Seahorse-depositing-eggs-in-the-males-pouch/
Flickriver, "Potbellied Seahorse. Photos" retrieved from website April 13, 2013, http://www.flickriver.com/photos/7916953@N06/popular-interesting/
Prager,Ellen. "Sex, Drugs, And Sea Slime". 2011
The Fragile Beauty of a Seahorse. Retrieved from website April 13, 2013, http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/animals/news-amazing-and-romantic-seahorse
The Green Insider, "The Seahorse's Last Race".. Photo retrieved from: http://thegreeninsider.cominformation/the-seahorse-last-race/
You Tube: Male Seahorse giving birth at the Deep Hull. Retrieved from: http:// www.youtube.com/watch?V=MsHCqrrU-GK
Young Seahorses, New South Wales, Australia 1994. Photo retrieved from: http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/enlarge/sea-horses-group-grall_pod_image.html