More fun facts about seahorses:
1. Male Seahorses Carry the Babies
During the mating season, seahorses engage in a courtship ritual where they swim together, their colors change, and their tails intertwine. The female deposits her eggs into the male’s pouch during mating, and the eggs remain there until they are ready to hatch. When it’s time to give birth, the male contracts his stomach repeatedly, releasing fully formed baby seahorses.
2. Monogamous
Most seahorses are monogamous and often stay with their mate for life. Sticking with one partner per mating season increases their reproductive success.
3. Seahorses Don’t Have Stomachs
Without stomachs, seahorses must follow a strict diet of tiny fish and planktonic copepods. Despite their small size, they consume around 3,000 crustaceans a day, including brine shrimp.
4. Tails Are Useful Tools
Seahorses use their tails to hold onto objects, which helps them eat and prevents them from being swept away by currents. Their tails also protect them from predators by allowing them to tuck their heads close to their bodies.
5. Camouflage
Seahorses come in various colors, including yellow, brown, red, and orange, often with white lines, helping them blend into their reef habitats. This camouflage helps them avoid predators like crabs and also aids in their hunting.
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