A Different Kind of Dragon

Paul Macdonald · Issue 77, Mar/Apr 2014 · pp. 56–57

The Leafy Seadragon (Phycodurus eques) is endemic to the waters of southern Australia and is closely related to seahorses and pipefish. The Leafy Seadragon is the South Australian Marine Emblem and they get their name from the leaf-like appendages on their bodies. They resemble pieces of seaweed, which makes them difficult for predators to find in their natural habitat of kelp and seaweed. Leafies are generally brown to yellow in body color with spectacular olive-tinted appendages. As an adult they can reach a total length of 35 centimetres. The Leafy Seadragon sucks up its prey using its long pipe-like snout and small mouth. Its favourite food is mysid shrimps. Being slow moving, they rely heavily on camouflage for survival, but also have long sharp spines along the side of the body. They are also able to change colour to some degree. So much so that they blend in very well with their h…