California sea hare (Aplysia californica)

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Photo by CoralAvery

Published on Project Noah

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32.8577, -117.253

Field Notes

Description:

Brown slug with black spots and a slightly orange lump on it's back.

Habitat:

Spotted at La Jolla Shores during low tide.

Notes:

This creature was moving along on a rock surrounded by water and I just happened to see it. I was standing thigh deep in cold ocean water trying to get some pictures of it and I noticed that it had large holes that would open and close on it's body making different shapes. It also had two antenna looking things on it's back closer to the face (not it's eyes). There were no other slugs around that I could see so I don't think it was mating, but I am open to any and all suggestions of what this may be and what it's doing.

Reference Links:

The Sea Slug Forum - Aplysia californica

Species ID Suggestions