Dragon Search

My thoughts were turned toward our neighbors to the south this morning, when I was seeking a FamilyFirst site. I perused several Australian offerings, then decided upon this one: Dragon Search.

Now don't get the idea that searching for dragons is something that Aussies do after several Foster's. No, we're talking about a very real creature that is found off of Australia's southern shores.

The sea dragon is actually a type of sea horse, but completely unlike the common ones you've seen at the pet shop. No, these incredible creatures are designed to blend into sargassum, a thick form of seaweed.

There are two types of sea dragons: weedy and leafy. The weedy dragons are less elaborately decked out in leaflike appendages. But it is still designed to disappear into its sargassum environment, and does so quite effectively. They are difficult for divers (and predators) to spot.

The leafy dragons are simply too incredible to believe. They are covered with an amazing array of appendages that make them look like a piece of seaweed! They also sway gently back and forth as they maneuver, looking exactly like a piece of kelp that has broken free and is drifting in the current.

The site is set up to report sightings of these amazing creatures. But it is also loaded with pictures and movies of them.

So enjoy today's Australian FamilyFirst site. And also enjoy knowing that this amazing creature exists, the sea dragon.

http://www.dragonsearch.asn.au

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