Posted on 12/28/2009 1:05:36 PM PST by JoeProBono
Seahorses are truly unique, and not just because of their unusual equine shape. Unlike most other fish, they are monogamous and mate for life. Rarer still, they are among the only animal species on Earth in which the male bears the unborn young.
Found in shallow tropical and temperate waters throughout the world, these upright-swimming relatives of the pipefish can range in size from 0.6 inches (1.5 centimeters) to 14 inches (35 centimeters) long.
Male seahorses are equipped with a brood pouch on their ventral, or front-facing, side. When mating, the female deposits her eggs into his pouch, and the male fertilizes them internally. He carries the eggs in his pouch until they hatch, then releases fully formed, miniature seahorses into the water.
Because of their body shape, seahorses are rather inept swimmers and can easily die of exhaustion when caught in storm-roiled seas. They propel themselves by using a small fin on their back that flutters up to 35 times per second. Even smaller pectoral fins located near the back of the head are used for steering.
They anchor themselves with their prehensile tails to sea grasses and corals, using their elongated snouts to suck in plankton and small crustaceans that drift by. Voracious eaters, they graze continually and can consume 3,000 or more brine shrimp per day.
Population data for most of the world’s 35 seahorse species is sparse. However, worldwide coastal habitat depletion, pollution, and rampant harvesting, mainly for use in Asian traditional medicine, have made several species vulnerable to extinction.
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That’s the cleverest thing I’ve read here in months.
I'LL DRINK TO THAT
What the heck is that! I wanted to say Alligator Gar, but it’s not. What is it?
Cockfish ?
You really liked that article, didn’t you?
I get Barney Miller reruns on my satellite. They are still funny and only dated once in a while by something said politically. They are from the late 1970’s I think..
That guy has 3 arms and hands, must be a mutant...
LMAO the balls are kinda high. Sorry I am blushing
Someones X wife.......?
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Thanks JoeProBono.When mating, the female deposits her eggs into his pouch, and the male fertilizes them internally. He carries the eggs in his pouch until they hatch, then releases fully formed, miniature seahorses into the water. Because of their body shape, seahorses are rather inept swimmers and can easily die of exhaustion when caught in storm-roiled seas... They anchor themselves with their prehensile tails to sea grasses and corals, using their elongated snouts to suck in plankton and small crustaceans that drift by. Voracious eaters, they graze continually and can consume 3,000 or more brine shrimp per day.To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. |
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African tiger fish.
No-one has ever see a Sea Horse yawn...everything else, yes.
Maybe you can have a seapony!
Good one!
Why she in all of these makeup and shampoo commercials is beyond me.
Well, those little freaks.
Do they have any relatives, living or fossil?
Um........
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