#heterobranchs

Just because it looks like a worm, and crawls like a worm, doesn't mean it's a worm-- sometimes it's a worm slug! These gastropods are named for their strong resemblance to common worms; in particular their long, thin bodies and pink coloration. Also like worms, worm slugs are most commonly found underground, consuming bits of soil, detritus, or worm feces as they tunnel along.

(Image: A worm slug (Boettgerilla pallens) by Jozef Grego)

Caribbean Leatherleaf Slug.

30/07/23 - Gastropoda: Sarasinula plebeia

It's not a nudibranch, but a close cousin, i tried to situate it in the taxonomy (hope i didn't make a mistake there). Search its name and revel in its glory !

For snails, traveling long distances can be a bit of a challenge due to their size and extremely slow speed. Fortunatelly, snails in the genus Physa have found a workaround! In early February, about 20-30 snails will attach themselves to the wings of an upland sandpiper and hitch a ride south with the bird's migration.

Beautiful sea hare found in a shallow tidepool.

06/11/23 - Aplysia reticulata

Most slugs can't move around very well-- but that doesn't mean they don't give it their best shot! Jumping slugs, members of the Hemphillia genus, are named for the intense, dance-like wriggles they perform when threatened. It's not much of a jump, but it's pretty impressive considering they don't even have feet.

Check out the demonstration below:

18/12/23 - Fastosarion brazieri

Sea hares found on the shores of Woppa. These fat little slugs littered the beach whilst the tide was out, young beachgoers often playing with them.

I'm used to seeing slugs inside tidepools, so this was certainly a shock to me. The slugs only had the soft, loose sand to grab onto, and were often found high up on the shore, presumably feeding on the brown algae which had washed up. The slugs would let the waves carry them, with seemingly little thought of where they actually ended up.

When the tide rose again, the slugs would've been carried out to sea, waiting for the next chance to feed on algae.

13/09/23 - Bursatella ocelligera