Magical Sea Dragons Arrive At Oregon Coast Aquarium
Imagine sea weed with eyes! ThatÂ’s just what youÂ’ll see when you discover the Oregon Coast AquariumÂ’s new sea dragons featured in Enchanted Seas. Learn how modern-day dragons disguise themselves as you discover how to protect these elusive creatures. Enjoy sea dragons, seahorses and a rainbow of tropical fish in the Oregon Coast AquariumÂ’s new Enchanted Seas exhibit, opening Memorial Day weekend.
(PRWEB) May 10, 2002
NEWPORT, Ore — Once you see this creature, you clearly understand why they are called sea dragons. Related to the seahorse, the newest arrivals at the Oregon Coast Aquarium sport the sleek appearance of their cousins, with the addition of leaflike appendages on their head and body. There are two types of sea dragons—leafy and weedy—making their home around rocky reefs and inshore seagrass only along the temperate southern coast of Australia. Both species will be part of the new Enchanted Seas exhibit opening Memorial Day weekend.
Sea dragons are fish that look like a piece of floating seaweed—that is, until you notice their independent-moving eyes scoping you out (just like a chameleon) or until they swim after a meal of tiny shimplike creatures, using powerful suction action to capture their prey. The male sea dragon handles baby-rearing duties by carrying the female’s 100-250 fertile eggs all the way through their hatching.
Not swift swimmers, sea dragons usually stay very still among the seagrass or kelp, waiting for mysid shrimp or sea lice to go by and slurping their prey up through long, tubelike mouths the same way we use a straw. Sea dragons have an armored body much like the seahorses’, covered with yellow, green and tan skin that spreads out to make the “leafy” or “weedy” camouflage appendages. They grow up to 18 inches in length and live for up to two years.
While sea dragons are eaten by other fishes or their babies may be consumed by anemones, they face bigger dangers from trawl fishing, from illegal capture for home aquariums, and Asian trade for medical powders and potions. Their populations are also threatened by decreasing marine habitat as well as increasing nearshore water pollution. The leafy and weedy sea dragons will be part of the new Enchanted Seas exhibit opening Memorial Day weekend and featuring the mystical world of seahorses, cuttlefish, tropical reef fishes, alligators and other magical sea creatures worth protecting.
The Enchanted Seas exhibit at the Oregon Coast Aquarium is made possible through the generous support of KYTE/KCRF, Charter Communications, Burger King, the Portland Fire WNBA, KMTR TV 16/Eugene, Spirit Mountain Community Fund, Sea Horse Oceanfront Lodging, Safeway, Factory Stores @ Lincoln City and TLC Federal Credit Union.
Located just south of Newport, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is named one of the top 10 aquariums in the nation by Parade magazine. Immerse yourself in Passages of the Deep and walk beneath the waves through a 200-foot clear underwater tunnel that snakes through three ocean habitats. Encounter sharks, rays and thousands of other fish swimming around you. Experience an exhilarating sensation when you look around and realize youÂ’re completely surrounded!
Outdoors, rugged cliffs, caves and pools showcase the many fascinating fish and invertebrates of OregonÂ’s coastal shores. Discover curious seals, sea lions and sea otters. A giant Pacific octopus lurks in an undersea coastal cave, and cartoonlike tufted puffins and other seabirds make their homes in one of the largest walk-through aviaries in North America.
Indoors, take a peek “Under the Lily Pad” at the Ocean Exploration Station for an up-close view of frogs, newts and salamanders as you discover there’s more to a pond than scum and explore the role these soggy spaces play in a healthy ecosystem. Visitors dip into the microscopic life of a pond community and see if they can identify the many creatures in the "duck soup" found in a pond ecosystem. Learn what's lurking beneath the pond's surface as you watch bluegills, compare newts and salamanders and search for tree and red-legged frogs. You'll be ribbetted!
Oregon Coast Aquarium admission is $10.25 for adults, $9.25 for seniors (65+), and $6.25 for children (4-13), children three and under are free. Advance tickets can be purchased on-line at www. aquarium. org. Group rates are available when arranged in advance. The Aquarium is open every day except December 25. Hours are 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. up to Memorial Day weekend, with expanded hours from 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. during the summer months through Labor Day.
For additional information about the Oregon Coast Aquarium, surf www. aquarium. org or call 541-867-FISH.
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Download link for Oregon Coast Aquarium leafy sea dragon:
Http://www. aquarium. org/press/pictures/EnchantedSeasExhibitPictures/OregonCoastAquariumLeafySeaDragon0502byPatriciaGayle. jpg (http://www. aquarium. org/press/pictures/EnchantedSeasExhibitPictures/OregonCoastAquariumLeafySeaDragon0502byPatriciaGayle. jpg)
Download link for Oregon Coast Aquarium weedy sea dragon:
Http://www. aquarium. org/press/pictures/EnchantedSeasExhibitPictures/OregonCoastAquariumWeedySeaDragon0502byPatriciaGayle. jpg (http://www. aquarium. org/press/pictures/EnchantedSeasExhibitPictures/OregonCoastAquariumWeedySeaDragon0502byPatriciaGayle. jpg)
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