Animal Guide

Leafy Seadragon

1 destination · 1 state

Native Range: Southern Australian coastal waters

A leafy seadragon can look like a loose piece of seaweed until it suddenly changes direction. Its body is covered with elaborate leaf-shaped appendages that provide camouflage rather than propulsion, so look closely for the small fins doing the real work. A nearly transparent fin along the back ripples rapidly while another near the head helps steer, creating an unusually gentle drifting motion. Leafy seadragons are relatives of seahorses, and their long tube-shaped snouts are used to suck up tiny crustaceans. They have another seahorse-like surprise: males carry the eggs. Instead of using a pouch, a male holds them on a specialized patch beneath his tail until they hatch. In an aquarium exhibit filled with kelp and seagrass, spotting the animal can become part of the fun. Stay with it for a moment and what first looked like vegetation may glide quietly across the tank.

Leafy Seadragon

Where to see Leafy Seadragon

1 destination across 1 state

1 destination

St. Louis Aquarium

St. Louis, MO

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