Rare discovery of seahorse on Bexhill beach
![Seahorse 2 SUS-181104-093355001](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/legacy_oak_103704244.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Seahorse 2 SUS-181104-093355001](/img/placeholder.png)
Mum Vicky Ballinger said: “My children Aida, 5 and Immy, 3 found it last Thursday.
Although it had sadly already died, My 3 year old, Immy, picked it up and returned it to the sea in the hope she could save it. I have never before seen a seahorse on the beach here and did not realise they even inhabited the area.”
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Hide AdThere are two species of seahorse in UK waters: the short snouted and long snouted. They can both grow to a maximum length (or height) of around 15cm and live in shallow, inshore waters amongst seaweeds and seagrass which they cling to with their tails.
![Seahorse 1 SUS-181104-093438001](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/legacy_oak_103704243.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Seahorse 1 SUS-181104-093438001](/img/placeholder.png)
The IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) does not have enough data on seahorse numbers to make an accurate assessment of their numbers.
Seahorses are a protected species in UK waters.