reportages

Southern Australia

(Hopkins Island, RapidBay Jetty, Kangaroo Island and Maria Island)


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gps  
Hopkins Island: 34°57’25.61” S 136°03’44.74” E
Rapid bay Jetty: 35°31’09.83” S 138°11’05.39” E
Kangaroo Island: 35°37’23.31” S 137°10’13.97” E
Maria Island: 42°35’49.67” S 148°02’50.60” E

period
 


December 2004, August 2006 and December 2008


subjects
 


- Leafy SeaDragon (Phycodurus eques)

- Weedy SeaDragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus)

- Australian Sea Lion (Neophoca cinerea)


travel notes
 


Leafy SeaDragon is a marine fish related to the seahorse. It is the only member of the genus Phycodurus. These creatures are found around southern and western Australia. The name is derived from the appearance, with long leaf-like protrusions coming from all over the body. These protrusions are not used for propulsion; they serve only as camouflage. The leafy sea dragon propels itself by means of a pectoral fin on the ridge of its neck and a dorsal fin on its back closer to the tail end. These small fins are almost completely transparent and difficult to see as they undulate minutely to move the creature sedately through the water, completing the illusion of floating seaweed.

Weedy SeaDragon or common sea dragon, is a marine fish related to the seahorse. It is the only member of the genus Phyllopteryx. It is found in water 3 to 50 m deep around the southern coastline of Australia, approximately between Port Stephens, New South Wales and Geraldton, Western Australia, as well as around Tasmania. Weedy sea dragons are named for the weed-like projections on their bodies that camouflage them as they move among the seaweed beds where they are usually found.

Australian Sea Lion is an endemic species from the Southern and Western coasts of Australia, it counts now a days less than 10,000 individuals; they only eat at sea, where they hunt fish, squid, and other sea creatures. They have front-flippers that allow them to propel quickly through water and be more agile on land by being able to walk on all four.
The breeding cycle of the Australian sea lion is unusual within the pinniped family. It is an 18 month cycle and is not synchronized between colonies. The duration of the breeding season can range from 5 to 7 months and has been recorded for up to 9 months at Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island.

contacts
 
Hopkins Island: www.diveoz.com.au for some help regarding the area

Rapid bay Jetty: www.rapidbayjetty.org

Kangaroo Island: www.kidivingsafaris.com

Maria Island: www.mariaislandwalk.com