Mystery Animal of the Day

Mama gnome presents:

Mystery Animal of the Day


Mama gnome thought these creatures were mythical.

But they truly exist.

Found only in southern and western Australia,

these dragons swim in the the oceans.


If you guessed Leafy Sea Dragon,

Mama gnome offers you a strong cup of morning elixir, so vital for existence.

And Mama gnome says, "Maybe try sticking to reusable bags for a month and help keep the oceans clean?"

Leafy Sea Dragons are named after the mythical creature because of the resemblance.



photo by: EyeKarma


And they are quite beautiful with the leaflike attachments that act as camouflage allowing them to blend in with their surroundings.

Unlike the mythical fire-breathing dragons, these leafy sea dragons are very docile and do not even have the ability to hook their tails like their cousin, the sea horse.

They are vulnerable to being washed ashore when dragged by currents, especially after storms.

Their diet is mainly plankton and small crustaceans.

Like the seahorse, male leafy sea dragons carry the fertilized eggs produced by the female.
Up to 200 eggs can be attached to the underside of their tail.

The male sea dragons also help hatch the eggs.

Mama gnome is quite impressed by this.

Though the Australian government has placed the leafy sea dragon under protection they are threatened by people who use them for "alternative medicine" and by collectors.

Leafy sea dragons are also threatened by loss of habitat (coral reefs and seagrass) and pollution from runoffs and sewage dumped in the ocean.



video from: Madge1964

Mama gnome will now go into camouflage and swim amongst the sea dragons to fend off humans who illegally collect them.

You stay on land and fend off the pollution from running into the ocean.

Go green.

(c) 2009 Jenaelha Friendly Gnome's Blog