Sunday, January 15, 2017

ZooWeird 46

A doggerel series about odd or little-known animals.

Leafy Sea Dragon: A marine fish of the family Syngnathidae, which also includes seahorses. It is the sole representative of the genus Phycodurus. The leafy seadragon’s name is derived from its resemblance to a mythical dragon covered with long, leaf-like protrusions. The species occurs exclusively in the southern Australian waters, from Wilson’s Promontory in Victoria at the eastern end of its range, westward to Jurien Bay, 220 km (136 miles) north of Perth in Western Australia. In the past, individuals were believed to have very limited ranges; however, further research has shown that leafy sea dragons can travel several hundred meters from their habitual locations, returning to the same spot using a strong sense of direction. (all animal info from http://www.strangeanimals.info/2011/01/leafy-sea-dragon.html#ixzz4VaFUW3Ay)

A dragon that looks like a leaf?
Such dragons would take lots of grief!

“You do not look like Smaug,” said one.
“Just salad,” said one guy, for fun.

The leafy dragon took his time—
Let taunters closer. Like a mime,

He didn’t say a single word
Until, enraged by what he’d heard,

He roared and called them ugly names
And breathed upon them deadly flames.


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