Peg Hesse, age 12, of Earling, Iowa, for her question:

HOW DID THE SEA HORSE RECEIVE HIS NAME?

A sea horse is a small, odd shaped fish that is found in tropical and temperate waters of the sea. He received his name because he resembles a tiny horse. Another name for the creature is Hippocampus which comes from the Greek words meaning horse and sea monster.

The sea horse is in the same family as a pipefish. He has a long snout and prominent eyes. His five inch body is covered by spiny, armorlike bony plates that protect it.

The female lays about 200 eggs in the spring or summer. The male keeps the eggs in a pouch located on the underside of his body until the eggs hatch.

The sea horse has a long tail which can coil around objects. He uses the tail to cling to rooted plants or growths of floating sea vegetation.