PREVIEW

A male seahorse has given birth to 34 babies after carrying them for around a month in one of the natural world's most unusual parenting roles.

Marcel, who lives at the National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham, delivered the brood after a 30-day pregnancy, with each newborn measuring little more than the size of a fingernail.

The tiny seahorses are now being cared for by the centre's specialist animal team.

Seahorses are the only animals in the world in which the male becomes pregnant and gives birth. The female deposits her eggs into the male's brood pouch, where he fertilises and carries them until they are born fully formed.

Leah Todd, resident Hippocampologist at the National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham, said: "We never take a seahorse birth for granted. Every baby that arrives healthy is a huge success and a real testament to the dedication of the team that cares for them.

"Watching the male carry and then give birth to the babies is something that never loses its sense of wonder. Seeing these youngsters thriving is incredibly rewarding for all of us."

The birth has also highlighted the plight of Britain's native seahorses.

The UK is home to two species – the long-snouted and short-snouted seahorse – both protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

However, around 90 per cent of the UK's seagrass meadows, a vital habitat for seahorses and other marine life, have been lost.

Since 2023, SEA LIFE has supported twice-yearly surveys along the Dorset coast as part of research monitoring native seahorse populations.

Leah added: "People are often surprised to learn that seahorses live in British waters at all, let alone that they are under threat.

"This summer, we are asking anyone spending time on the coast to be mindful of where they anchor, where they fish and how they move through seagrass habitats. These are protected animals and their homes are fragile. If you're lucky enough to spot one, report it rather than reach for it."

Before becoming a father, Marcel impressed his mate with an elaborate courtship display before carrying the eggs in his brood pouch for around 30 days until they were ready to hatch.