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Sea horses are found along the coasts of the tropical and temperate oceans of the world.
Description:
A sea horse has been described as an animal with the head of a horse, the tail of a monkey, a snout like an anteater and a pouch like a kangaroo. Sea horses can range in size from one fourth of an inch to sixteen inches. Most sea horses are less than six inches. There are 32 different species. The sea horse has two pectoral fins, a single dorsal fin and a small anal fin. The dorsal fin can beat thirty-five times a second and helps to move the horse forward. The pectoral fins are used for turning and steering and are located on the side of the horse’s head. The sea horse’s body is encased in body “armor.” Unlike most fish, sea horses do not have scales covering their body. They have bony plates under their skin.
Habits and Adaptations:
The sea horse is a very slow swimmer, using its dorsal fin to move upright through the water. Using the pectoral fin and nodding its head, the sea horse can change direction. The prehensile tail is used to grab onto coral and sea grass to keep the horse from being carried off by the ocean currents. The sea horse avoids most predators by changing color. In a matter of seconds, it can change from gray or black to yellow or purple. A sea horse can use each eye independently, which allows the sea horse to look for food without moving its body. It uses its snout to suck up its food. Air in the large swim bladder allows a sea horse to stay at a certain depth.
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