THE LEAFY SEADRAGON (PHYCODURUS EQUES)

ADAPTATIONS

• The leafy seadragon has leaf-like appendages
• Blends into seaweed and other foliage
• One of the most camouflaged animals in the world

WHERE THEY LIVE

• Off the southern and eastern coasts of Australia
• In coral reefs

WHAT DO THEY EAT?

• Small crustaceans like sea lice and amphipods

OTHER INTERESTING THINGS

• Grow to about 14 inches in length
• Live 2 to 3 years in captivity unknown in wild
• Related to the seahorse
• Small transparent dorsal and pectoral fins
• Floats rather than swims though it can

HOW THEY REPRODUCE

• Like seahorses, males carry children
• Unlike seahorses, they have a spongy patch under their tails
• Takes 4 to 6 weeks to fully develop new leafy seadragons

INDANGERED?

• Leafy seadragons are listed as threatened
• Unknown prey to any animal
• Divers take them as pets

SOURCES

• http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/sea-dragon/
• http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/animal-bytes/animalia/eumetazoa/coeloma...
• http://www.divegallery.com/Leafy_Sea_Dragon.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leafy_seadragon

SOURCES

• http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/leafy-sea-dragon
• http://www.esperancedivingandfishing.com.au/seadragons/leafy-sea-dragon-egg...
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/czarsy/8399066847/