Chapter 1
Master of the seaweed disguise
Chapter 2
The ultimate stay-at-home dads
Chapter 3
Life in the slow lane
YOUR GOAL
Master of The secret life of the leafy sea dragon
Ch 2 · The ultimate stay-at-home dads
misslily The Leafy Sea Dragon
I carry hundreds of bright pink eggs on my tail, Keeping them safe in the current until they set sail.
misslily By rubbing against rocks and seaweed, the father helps his tiny babies break free from their egg capsules
misslily An isometric 3D render reveals labeled eggs attached to a sea dragon's tail.
Fun Fact
Egg color changes: During the nine-week incubation period, the sea dragon eggs change from bright pink to a deep purple or ripe orange.
Glossary
brood patch (noun)
A specialized patch of skin on an animal's body used for incubating eggs. Male leafy sea dragons use a spongy tail area to incubate hundreds of eggs.
A specialized patch of skin on an animal's body used for incubating eggs. Male leafy sea dragons use a spongy tail area to incubate hundreds of eggs.
Quiz
What percentage of leafy sea dragon eggs typically survive to adulthood in the wild?