THE KNYSNA SEA HORSE- HIPPOCAMPUS
CAPENSIS
continued
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After this the female has no further contact with the young.
The male fertilises the eggs in the pouch, and the embryos develop there
for (in the case of the Knysna Sea Horse) about 14-21 days, depending
on water temperature.The male goes through a difficult birth process which
resembles labour and may last up to two days. Between 5 and 190 babies
are delivered: they're between 9 and 10 mm in length, almost black in
colour and well-developed.They receive no further care from the parents.
The adults usually begin mating again just hours after birthing is complete.
Seahorses feed on tiny crustacean (zooplankton). Their toothless mouths
are used to suck in prey, which can be up to 12 mm long and 2 mm wide.
They usually feed from their positions on the holdfasts, but may swim
after their prey if the need arises.
Seahorses are entirely protected in the Knysna Lagoon, and it is an offence
in the law to catch them or disturb them in any way.
WHY PROTECT THE KNYSNA SEA HORSE?
The Knysna sea horse is occurs only in South Africa. is unusual because
it occurs in estuaries, has the most limited distribution of all seahorse
species and is listed as the most threatened seahorse species in the world.
As such, the Knysna seahorse is part of our natural heritage, acting us
a flagship species with high symbolic value that should be used to rally
support for thecoiiscn ation of the estuaries in which it lives.
In addition, the Knysna seahorse may be used as an indicator species'-a
barometer of the health of their environment. Frogs and lichens (those
strange algal-fungal plants which often look like leaves flattened against
,'rocks or trees) are also thought of as indicator species, and their
presence in or absence from a system provides an indication of the environmental
health of that system.
The Knysna estuary is a fragile system and like all natural systems constantly
seeks to maintain its environmental balance. The impact of human activities
such as farming and property development as well as excavation in the
estuary and may threaten this balance. By studying the dynamics of seahorse
populations, scientists hope to be able to detect trends which could point
to a decline in the health of the estuary.
CAN ANYONE KEEP SEAHORSES?
No - only people who have a license issued by the Minister of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism may keep seahorses in captivity.The number and types
of fishes which one may catch and keep are prescribed in the Regulations
In Terms of the Marine Living Resources Act (Act 18 of 1998). In these
regulations, the Knysna seahorse is listed as a prohibited species and
no one may catch or disturb it.
SEAHORSES & DIVING
Scuba divers do occasionally find a seahorse or two in their natural
environment in the region of Thesen's Jetty - but remember that it is
illegal to catch or disturb seahorses in the Knysna Lagoon.
WHERE CAN I SEE SEAHORSES?
South Africa National Parks,
Thesen's Jetty, Long Street
Telephone 044 382 2095;
Open Monday to Friday 08h30 - 16h30 and on Saturdays & Sundays during
holiday season
34'South,
The Waterfront at the Knysna Quays
Telephone 044 382 7331; Open daily 09h00 -18h00
Featherbed Nature Reserve/Western Head.
Open daily to Reserve guests only.
Tour information and reservations: 044 3821693
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