Beings that seem straight out of a legend
In this space, you can discover animals with such curious shapes that they remind us mythological creatures. They are strange and fascinating beings that have developed surprising appearances to adapt to their environment.
Their silhouettes, colours and movements awaken the imagination and transport you to a world of fable and legend, where reality and fantasy seem to blend together underwater.
Sea dragons: masters of camouflage
The stars of this space are the sea dragons, also known as leafy seadragons (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus).
These highly unusual animals are experts at camouflage and are very difficult to distinguish in an environment full of leaves and algae, where they blend in almost completely with the marine vegetation.
Inhabitants of the Australian coast
Sea dragons live in the temperate waters of Australia, mainly in rocky reefs covered with kelp and other macroalgae, where they find shelter and food.
Camouflage, protection and movement
The body of the sea dragon is elongated and covered with bony plates, with a long snout, similar to that of seahorses. However, unlike seahorses, its tail is not prehensile, so it cannot curl around to hold on. Its main adaptations include leaf-shaped extensions for camouflage, small spines as a protection system and a long dorsal fin and small pectoral fins, which allow it a smooth, balanced locomotion.
Adult individuals usually display a reddish color, with yellow and purple markings. In addition, males have a narrower, darker body than females.
Beauty and fragility
Despite their fantastical appearance, they are real animals and very sensitive to changes in their environment. The conservation of their habitats is essential to ensure the survival of these true living jewels of the ocean.
