- 1). Compare the sizes of the seahorses. Normally the female is significantly larger than the male.
- 2). Examine the colors of the animals. Female seahorses usually have brighter colors than the males.
- 3). Observe the seahorses' behavior. Males have one stereotypical male quality--they are more aggressive. In a large group, males may fight for a female. Seahorses fight by entangling their tails and head butting each other.
- 4). Examine the front of the seahorse. Males have a pouch extending from the bottom of the belly down that is especially obvious in "pregnant" males.
- 5). Measure the seahorse by placing the ruler close to it. Compare your measurements to the averages for males and females of that species in a guidebook. Assuming the seahorse is fully grown, the height provides an indication of whether it is a male or female. Seahorse measurements are taken from the tip of the tail to the top of the head. You might have to estimate part of the tail length.
SHARE
