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Depilatory Sea Hare

Aplysia depilans

Photo by Sof
Published on Project Noah
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40.1751, -8.89609

Field Notes

Description:

Around 15 to 18cm, depending if he stretched or not. Dark brown with a grey pattern.

Habitat:

Beach, near rocky areas where the sea wasn't deep.

Notes:

Found while I played over the rocks with my lil' sister. On the video, at 0:12, I believe there's a shrimp passing by?

UPDATE: Last photo was taken on the 6th of September, 2014, around the same place as the others. One of the slugs became scared and emitted a purple ink which spread through the water.

Reference Links:

Aplysia depilans

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
mendes.madalena
I also saw loads this summer, in Portugal we call them Vinagreiras :) they are so fluffy!
Sof
Thanks! Although slow, I'm fairly certain it returned to the water. That, or the sea came back for it!
Leuba Ridgway
This could be it Zariga. Good spotting ! I hope it got back into the water.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aplysia_depilans
Leuba Ridgway
Looks like a giant sea slug Aplysia http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aplysia_Sa_Canova_01.JPG

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Portugal's Biodiversity
Mission
Beach Biodiversity of Portugal - Dunes, Sand and Sea
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project
Mission
2014 Best Wildlife Photo
Photographed
PublishedAugust 16, 2014

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