Even though most of the Earth’s surface is water, we still know surprisingly little about them and the ocean deep. 12 astronauts were on the Moon, but only 3 were in and around Mare in the Marian. The inhabitants of the oceans are amazing. From deep the sea, there are all sorts of unusual and mysterious phenomena which are difficult to pinpoint.
One of the most amazing things about the ocean is the variety of life in all its forms. Estimates put the number of species at 250,000 with an increase rate of 1.5-2% annually, which is great news for ocean ecosystems. Scientists are still discovering marine life, and we’re learning that the diversity of organisms is even greater than before.
Scientists have discovered new organisms that can survive without light or oxygen, and in extreme environments. This proves that there’s a much wider range of life under water than we once thought was possible.
Seventy percent of the world’s animal species lives in water, and the seas and oceans are their home. The diversity of life underwater is amazing because you can find inhabitants of all colours, shapes, and sizes. Some creeps might put you off, only to find another that will surprise you with its beauty.
Before you is not a craft, not an artistic image – but the state emblem of South Australia. The shape of this design is carefully crafted to act as a camouflage for underwater creatures.
Sea dragons are leafy dragons and sea pegasi too, or in scientific terms they are members of the horse family. They differ from other sea creatures in their magnificent plumage, which is due to that they don’t have a shell like other seahorses have.
No, you can’t find them anywhere else. You see, they’re a fish that lives in warm water and they like to hide from curious divers by hiding in shallow water. It’s not hard to understand why. Seeing such beauty, anyone would want to be with someone like that.
The leafy sea dragon (related to seahorses) gets its name due to some similarities with leaves. For Australians, it’s a mystery and a myth, but for divers in New Zealand or the Great Barrier Reef, it’s a common fisherman’s catch. The Giant seahorse is a sea creature that can grow up to 35cm and lives around sea kale forests in the eastern Indian Pacific Ocean. They are found in Spencer Gulf on the South coast of Australia.
This leafy sea dragon has a less famous cousin called the “spiny sea dragon.” They are only found in waters off the coast of New South Wales and they have bald red and yellow outgrowths which make them unsightly to humans.
This kind of creature needs local, natural conditions in order to survive. There are no other predators that he’s vulnerable too, but there is a lot of food – small shrimp and other plankton.
Although it looks unassuming and harmless, the leafy sea dragon is actually a hunter. Its diet consists of shrimp, small fish and other creatures that can’t resist the toothless dragon’s suction. In times of scarcity it has been known to eat algae and marine debris.
Despite their low mobility, these sea dragons are masters at defending themselves from other animals. This is because of the greenish leaf-like feathers on their fins (which act as camouflage against predators). They can swallow up to 3,000 shrimp per day. The dragonfly swings along with the plant, making fish even more difficult for predators to detect.
The sea dragon moves slowly, only 150 meters per hour. This slow motion is due to the fact that the dragon swims exclusively with the help of its two pectoral and dorsal fins, which are completely transparent. Yes, and they sway backwards and forwards once a minute. Anchoring in this way provides the animal with an equalizing effect of smooth swaying on the waves. From a distance, it is very similar to a torn branch of algae.
The male seahorse is perhaps best known for being a caring father and carrying fry in their pouch. Male sea dragons, on the other hand, may not be as fortunate. They do not have bags and so must instead carry fertilized eggs with them at all time and protect them from danger.
Female dragons typically lay between 100 and 120 eggs, which are fertilized and attached to the underside of the male. When ready to mate, they approach one another in a morning ritual that is a bit like a dance with many changes in skin color. It typically takes 4-8 weeks for the birth of small dragons, which are copies of adults. Young growth after birth is completely left to itself and only 5% of newborns will become an adult 2 year old, who forever stay in their native land.
There has been extensive flooding in the area and as a result the population of leafy dragons is at its lowest. Indeed, he is! The Red Book says that we don’t know the exact number of deciduous sea dragons.
Unlike seahorses that cling to the algae with their tail during storm events, leafy dragons do not know how to do this, so when a storm hits, they often wash ashore and die because they have nowhere else to go.
The golden sea dragon is the state emblem of South Australia.
It is already clear that the leafy sea dragon is a master of disguise. This amazing creature can change color to match its surroundings. The look and feel of the surrounding plant life and the food it has consumed will also affect how its color changes!
Scavengers are at risk of extinction in the face of pollution, but they’re also sought after by collectors. To protect them, the Australian government made them a protected species.
The Mint of the Australian city of Perth has just released the second coin in a new series of silver coins titled “Australian Marine Life – Reefs”. The second coin depicts a rag-picker. Coins in denominations of 50 Australian cents are minted from silver 999.
