If the seahorse is an exception in terms of paternity in the animal world, it is not the only species to take particular care in the education and protection of its young.
Blessed bread for predators
A common sea dragon can be seen in the video (Phillopteryx taeniolatus from its Latin name, or leaf seahorse), carefully carrying several hundred of its eggs on its tail. As the diver explains to one of his followers, the fact that these eggs have so many trees is also a boon for predatory fish, which target this easy prey. “They have no defense unfortunately”, specifies the diver.
View this post on Instagram
This leafy sea dragon is a true icon of South Australia. It lives in shallow waters near the Australian coast, hence the diver's video where you can easily see the seabed. Adults can reach 45 centimeters in length. Males can carry up to 300 eggs!
Eggs are carried between 6 and 8 weeks
As IFLscience points out, these male sea dragons carry their eggs in a pouch at the front of their body. This helps them hold all the eggs in place. The role of the female sea dragon is to lay her eggs in the male's skin. The latter will provide them with oxygen as they grow.
The younger the eggs, the paler they are. Their color becomes darker and darker as they approach hatching. Sea dragons carry eggs for 6 to 8 weeks. After birth, baby sea dragons feed from the egg sac during the first two days of their life. They then live between 5 and 7 years.
Fatherhood: the worst and the best of the animal world
If in terms of paternity the sea dragon is an example in the animal world, it is not the only species to take good care of its young. The black swan in particular, which puts its cygnets on its back to protect them from predators, just like the owl monkey which is particularly invested in education and play.
Conversely, male brown bears do not hesitate to kill their cubs during the breeding season to conquer their mother, according to the WWF. They are even one of the main threats to bear cubs! The trend is no better with dolphins, who kill unweaned babies so that the female can be fertile again more easily.
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
