Leafy sea dragons can be found in the southeastern Indian Ocean in southern Australia and the southern part of Western Australia. This beautifully camouflaged creature can be found close to reefs with kelp, feeding on mysids and other crustaceans.

One of the most extraordinary things about the leafy sea dragon is that the male of the species gives birth. As soon as a baby sea dragon leaves the safety of its father’s tail, it is independent and receives no further help from its parents. In 1991, the Department of Fisheries, Western Australia, declared it a totally protected species. The southern Australian government allows one brooding male to be collected each year. The captive-bred hatchlings are sent overseas for education and research programs.

• This type of sea dragon belongs to the same family as seahorses, but its tail can not coil up like the seahorse.
• It has no scales, but is covered with jointed, armor-like plates.
• With its leaf-like fins and frilly appendages, this sea dragon camouflages itself perfectly among seaweed and sea grass beds.
• It has a tube-like mouth that it uses like a drinking straw to suck up food.
• The sea dragon swims horizontally.

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