Papua New Guinea

Expeditions:Pygmy Seahorse

One of the smallest vertebrates in the world lives in the tropical Pacific--the pygmy seahorse. Belonging to the same genus as their larger cousins but reaching a maximum size of about an inch, its no wonder that many of these miniature species have only been discovered within the last decade. Currently there are nine known species but, with scientists and divers exploring more reefs and making better observations, surely there will be more discoveries to come. Jean-Michel Cousteau and his Ocean Futures Society team were extremely fortunate to get an up-close look at this most unlikely of creatures in the waters of Papua New Guinea. They were awed by the miracle of evolution that creates such miniature masterpieces.