Seahorses don't have a tail fin, in fact they are decidedly short of fins. Their heads bend forward and don't line up with their backbone, as it does in other fish, giving them a horsey look. They suck food up through their long straw-like mouths after snapping their tiny jaws shut. Their body armour is made up of scales fused together, a less than appetizing meal for many would be predators. It doesn't help, though, for their biggest problem is people.
All around the world seahorses are loved and collected, either for Asian medicine or keepsakes. Living in shallow coastal waters these little fish are subjected to habitat degradation from land-based activities. Stormwater run-off quality is an often cited reason. Teachers wishing to incorporate studies on keeping our coastal waters clean will be inspired by AUSMEPA's free online education materials related to Marine Stormwater Pollution - here.
Thanks for posting this. We have a seahorse relative in the NE Pacific and I spend alot of time trying to find the rare species in Hawaiian waters.
ReplyDeleteTo help promote understanding and protection of nearshore habitats of all seahorses, Project SOAR and Friends of Fred has just created a Fun and Educational Package for a school or teacher interested in receiving:
A beautiful glass beaded seahorse
Its traveling journal and activities
Plus: Fred!!! (A cousin of the original Fred, this little monkey leads to mischief, fun, and educational magic wherever he travels)
Contact Ron Hirschi at whalemail@waypoint.com for more information or to have your own seahorse delivered to your students!!!
Malama i ke kai
Ron
Project Soar: http:soaronhirschi.blogspot.com