Short-snouted seahorse
29 November 2010
The short-snouted seahorse is one of two species of seahorses found in the British Isles, the other is the long-snouted seahorse (Hippocampus guttulatus), which has a longer snout and elongated protuberances along the back of the neck, giving the impression of a 'horses mane'. Seahorses are unusual, because unlike most animals it is the male that becomes 'pregnant' following the transfer of eggs from the female. He then incubates the eggs in a sack-like brood pouch and gives ‘birth’ to live young.
Short-snouted seahorse © Steve Trewhella
Latin name: Hippocampus hippocampus
Population numbers
The exact size and distribution of the population of seahorses around the British Isles is not known at present. The British Seahorse Survey is currently collating records.
Where to see and when
Short-snouted seahorse are generally found in shallow waters, amongst seaweeds and seagrasses, and rocky/macro algae areas in spring and summer, moving to deeper waters in the winter. Sometimes caught in deeper trawls. Recorded from a number of locations throughout south and south-west Britain, but rarely seen.
What’s being done
Both spiny and short-snouted seahorses were protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act in 2008. This listing has helped them to be a recommended feature in the Ecological Network Guidance for Marine Conservation Zones.
By 2012 Natural England will implement an ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas that aims to conserve marine ecosystems and marine biodiversity. The short-snouted seahorse has been identified as a species that is likely to benefit from this network.
An important population of seahorses has been found in Studland Bay, Dorset. Concerns about recreational pressures from mooring and anchoring led to the development of the Studland Voluntary No Anchor Zone research project, funded by the Crown Estate and Natural England. This is collecting evidence of the impacts of anchoring to inform future decision making by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), which can impose bylaws.
The Dorset Wildlife Trust has an education project, part funded by Natural England, to provide information about the presence and importance of Studland Bay for seahorses, and the seagrass that supports them.
More information
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Native plants, fungi and animals we featured each week for the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity.
