Creature Feature Encyclopedia: Osteichthyes

Seahorse Hippocampus spp. Number of Species Worldwide: 32

The seahorse is a curious animal about five inches long. Its head has a horse-like look, but the resemblance ends there. It has straw-like jaws, and eyes that move independently, allowing it to look two ways at once. It can even change color to match its habitat. The seahorse is a very weak swimmer and must beat its tiny dorsal fin up to 30 times a second to propel itself. To keep from being carried away by currents, the seahorse uses its tail to grasp sea plants or coral. Because it has no stomach in which to store food, the seahorse eats continuously, consuming as many as 3,500 shrimp daily.

~A Swim through the Sea © 1994