Scuba divers can find Leafy Sea Dragons hiding in kelp leaves and seaweed in the water off of Southern and Eastern Australia. One glance at this strangely beautiful creature and the reason for its name becomes apparent. Leafy Sea Dragons, Phycodurus eques, grow leaf-like flaps of skin which help them to blend in with their environment. Divers from around the world flock to Australia to dive with these fragile creatures, who can elude even the most experienced fish-spotter by mimicking the swaying motion of the plant life around them. Sea dragons are qualified as “Near Threatened” and their numbers continue to drop due to habitat destruction and capture for the aquarium trade.
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