🐌 Sea Hare Fun Facts
🦠 Not Actually Hares
Despite their name, Sea Hares are marine mollusks—not rabbits. They get their name from the two ear-like rhinophores on their heads.
🦠Ink Defense
Like squids and octopuses, Some Sea Hares can squirt out purple or red ink to distract predators and make a getaway.
🦠Giant Slugs
Some Sea Hares can grow up to 75 cm (30 inches) long!
➡️ Example: The California Black Sea Hare (Aplysia vaccaria) is the largest, reaching over 14 kg (30 lbs).
🦠Plant-Based Diet
They feed on algae and sea grasses. The pigments in their food can even affect the color of their bodies and ink.
🦠Hermaphrodites
Sea Hares are simultaneous hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female organs and can mate in long chains.
🦠Short Lifespan
Most Sea Hares only live about a year, dying shortly after laying eggs.
🦠Chemical Camouflage
Some absorb toxic chemicals from the algae they eat, making them unappetizing to predators.
🦠Soft Body, Small Shell
They either have a reduced internal shell or no shell at all, relying on camouflage and ink for defense..
#Science #OceanLovers #MarineBiology #CaliforniaCoast #DiscoverNature
📹 Footage Credits
Video by Magda Ehlers: https://www.pexels.com/video/captivating-squid-glide-in-aquarium-30140569/
Video by Mariam Antadze: https://www.pexels.com/video/rabbit-eating-a-flower-7235786/
Video by Taryn Elliott: https://www.pexels.com/video/mother-helping-her-child-get-up-from-a-stumble-cause-by-the-sea-waves-3327104/
Disclaimer:
"The blurred figure of a toddler is for size comparison. The toddler was with her mother in the full video which can be viewed in the credits link,"
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