Several years ago, my husband and I were out on Hutchinson Island on the dock across the street from the House of Refuge. A man was there netting fish. On this occasion, he’d also caught a seahorse! There are in fact, three different types of seahorses native to Floridian waters.
I’ve recently read Seahorses: A Life-Size Guide to Every Species by Sara Lourie. The author has a Ph.D. in the science of seahorses and has made their study and preservation her life’s work. Fascinating!
Dwarf Seahorse by Will Thomas, Wikipedia, CC. Lic.
In the world, there are approximately 50 various types of seahorse. The tiniest may be the size of a bean!
Often, their colors blend with their environment for protection. Their camouflage normally includes mottling, spots, and stripes. They have crowns, little frills, and points like spikes. The creatures swim slowly in an upright position, and are usually found in coastal waters anchored by their tails to seagrass, mangroves, coral, etc.. Their long snouts are used to suction in tiny invertebrates.
During courtship, they are seen waltzing.
The male seahorse will carry fertilized eggs and then give birth to them. How many? Some seahorses birth thousands!
Aqua Jeweled Seahorse, Kelly Jadon 2024, Available at Sand & Sea 3/21/24
Currently, I’m creating a series of seahorses. They can be viewed or purchased at the Sand & Sea Boutique in Jensen Beach, Florida.
This Dwarf Seahorse is found around the Florida Keys!
Dwarf Seahorse, Layered Stained Glass, Resin Finish Kelly Jadon, 2024
(C) Kelly Jadon