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Ripley’s Aquarium welcomes rare babies to collection

Ripley's Aquarium welcomed new additions recently, including two rare baby weedy sea dragons and a spotted eagle ray pup. 

The weedy sea dragons, which were born during the summer of 2014, were introduced at the aquarium in March. Considered a near threatened species, weedy sea dragons born in captivity are a rare occurrence, according to Ripley's. Only nine aquariums have had successful deliveries in captivity. 

The spotted eagle ray pup was born in November. 

Sea dragons are covered in leafy appendages that help them blend in with seaweed and kelp. They are native to waters off the Australian coast and are closely related to seahorses. Like seahorses, male sea dragons are responsible for carrying babies. The female sea dragon transfers her eggs to a spot on the male's tail during mating. The male incubates and carries the eggs until they hatch. 

The sea dragons join more than 300 species on exhibit at Ripley's Aquarium.