Leafy Seadragons

Habitat & Behaviour
Seadragons are not very good swimmers, only able to swim 1/8 mile per hour, and so are one of the slowest seahorses in the world. They can become tired very easily, and face the risk of dying from exhaustion when the water moves too fast, meaning they remain still for very long periods of time. Because they do not move around a lot, besides to feed, they need to be constantly warm, and thus are only found in very shallow, tropical areas, particularly along the southern and western coasts of Australia. The water has to be at least 20 degrees Celsius in order for them to survive. The fact that their natural habitat has continued to be depleted means they aren’t as diversified as they once where. They are hard to find too as they stay in the rocky regions and around the sand.

Diet & Feeding Habits
They have very long snouts, which are used as a pipe method for them to suck food resources through. As they do not have teeth, they are not able to chew food, and so what they consume has to be small emough to be swallowed in one piece. They also feed at a very slow pace. Although they are ectotherms, leafy seadragons have to eat frequently as they do not have a digestive system to hold the food, and will eat the likes of mysids, small fish and plankton for at least 12 hours a day. The energy obtained from its food is used to allow it to sway back and forth, mimicking the actions of seaweed to lull it’s prey in before opening its snout.

VD & HA