Seahorses

Seahorses are small fish that really do look like tiny horses! They swim upright, which is unusual for fish. Seahorses use their curly tails to hold onto seaweed and coral. There are about 46 different species of seahorses found in warm ocean waters.

Unique Swimmers

Seahorses are not great swimmers. They use a tiny fin on their back that flutters up to 35 times per second. They steer with fins on the sides of their head. Because they swim so slowly, they use camouflage to hide from predators.

Dad Has the Babies

Seahorses are the only animals where the father gets pregnant! The female puts her eggs into a special pouch on the father's belly. He carries the babies for 2 to 4 weeks. When they are ready, hundreds of tiny seahorses pop out of his pouch.

Fun Facts

• Male seahorses give birth, not females.
• They have no teeth and no stomach.
• Seahorses can move their eyes independently, like a chameleon.

Did You Know?

A pair of seahorses greet each other every morning with a special dance. They change colors and swim side by side with their tails linked together!