This pretty canvas print of a sea horse painted in vivid watercolors is a perfect gift for a kid to have in its cosy room. In Chinese culture, seahorses are believed to bring good luck and fortune.
A seahorse is a small marine fish that belongs to the genus Hippocampus. The name "Hippocampus" comes from the Ancient Greek words "hippos" meaning "horse" and "kampos" meaning "sea monster" or "sea animal" ¹. There are about 46 species of seahorses, and they are mainly found in shallow tropical and temperate saltwater throughout the world, from about 45°S to 45°N ¹.
Seahorses are known for their unique appearance. They have a head and neck suggestive of a horse, segmented bony armor, an upright posture, and a curled prehensile tail ¹. They swim upright, propelling themselves using the dorsal fin, another characteristic not shared by their close pipefish relatives, which swim horizontally ¹.
Seahorses are carnivorous and feed on small crustaceans such as shrimp ². They have no teeth and suck their food through their snouts ². Seahorses are also monogamous and mate for life ³. During courtship, they perform an elaborate dance where they change colors and entwine their tails ³.
Seahorses are fascinating creatures that have captured the imagination of people for centuries. They have been featured in mythology, art, and literature throughout history. In Chinese culture, seahorses are believed to bring good luck and fortune ¹.
(1) Seahorse - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seahorse.
(2) Seahorses, facts and photos - National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/facts/seahorses.
(3) Seahorse | Description, Reproduction, Habitat, & Facts. https://www.britannica.com/animal/sea-horse.