Hobbies And Interests
Range
Weedy sea dragons inhabit a very small part of the planet; the coastal waters off southern Australia and parts of its eastern and western waters. Port Stephens is the limit to the range on the eastern coast, and Geraldton marks the boundary along the western coast. Within this area, weedy sea dragons prefer sea weed, kelp and sea grass, all of which provide protection and allow them to blend into the scenery.
Physical Features
The two eyes of the weedy sea dragon move independently of each other. They lack two common traits of many animals: teeth and a stomach. They have appendages that hang from their bodies resembling weeds, hence their name. Weedy sea dragons have a long, thin, tubular snout and distinctive blue coloration on the upper body. They can grow up to 18 inches long. Newborns measure less than 0.4 inches and weigh less than an ounce. Weedy sea dragons eat crustaceans such as mysid shrimp. Newborns eat copepods and rotifers known as zooplankton. Without teeth, they feed by suction.
Reproduction
Weedy sea dragons share a common bond with sea horses: Males carry the eggs. The female deposits up to 250 eggs on the male's brood patch. The brood patch contains cups, and each one provides nutrients for one egg. The male carries the eggs for about eight weeks until the eggs hatch. Upon leaving the egg, the young sea dragon is on his own with no help from either parent.
Conservation Efforts
Complete protection was provided by the Australian government in the early 1990s because of diminished numbers of sea dragons. Divers commonly captured the animal for pets, but this is now banned. Pollution and loss of habitat continue to threaten the species, along with storms that wash them up on beaches.