The Short-snouted Seahorse can be found in waters in the south, south-east and east coasts of England. It can also be found in the summer months in estuaries and bays that have a good amount of seaweed and sea grass. This seahorse is related to the Spiny Seahorse which is also found in our coastal waters.

The Short-snouted Seahorse can reach a length of about fifteen centimetres and it has the name ‘Seahorse’ because of its horse-shaped head. It also has a short nose that is slightly upturned and this is why it is called the ‘Short-snouted Seahorse’. It has a knobbly-looking body which is covered in wart-like lumps. The body can change its colour to match its surroundings so it can be a brown, orange, purple or black colour. The Short-snouted Seahorse also has a long tail that is used for climbing. It swims in an upright position and uses a fin on the middle of its body to propel forward.

The female Short-snouted Seahorse lays her eggs in a special pouch which is on the front of the male’s body and then the male takes over the responsibility of looking after the eggs. The male guards and protects them until they are ready to hatch. Seahorses are often sought after as souvenirs because they dry out intact.

Sponsored by: Carol Thomas, Macclesfield