Weedy Sea Dragon

Fascinating facts about the Weedy Sea Dragon

• Unlike seahorses, sea dragons cannot curl their tails to grip objects. They simply drift with the current, relying entirely on camouflage for survival.
• Their camouflage is so effective that researchers studying them in the wild often lose track of individuals mid-observation.
• Populations have declined due to pollution and illegal collection for the aquarium trade. Captive breeding is extremely difficult as they rarely thrive outside their native habitat.

At a glance

About the Weedy Sea Dragon

The Weedy Sea Dragon is the marine emblem of the state of Victoria and found nowhere else on Earth. Its leaf-like appendages are purely decorative — it swims using two tiny, nearly invisible fins that beat 70 times per second. Like seahorses, the male carries and hatches the eggs.

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