Sea hares at Perth, W. Australia.

February 18, 2010
From: John Gorter

I just threw 3 sea hares back into the water at Floreat Beach, Western Australia. I have never seen these creatures here before. I think we had recently had a high tide. All three were still alive. Two were about 20 cm long and black. The other was smaller and appeared to have pink ?gills.

Locality: Floreat Beach, on beach, Western Australia, Indian Ocean, 13 February 2010, sandy beach. Length: about 20. Photographer: no camera.

Any information appreciated.

John Gorter

City Beach WA


john.gorter@eniaustralia.com.au

Gorter, J., 2010 (Feb 18) Sea hares at Perth, W. Australia.. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/23232

Dear John,

The animals were almost certainly Aplysia gigantea, which washup and die along the beaches of Western Australia, or at least the southern half of WA, every year. Have a look at the species Fact Sheet and the attached messages for more information.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2010 (Feb 18). Comment on Sea hares at Perth, W. Australia. by John Gorter. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/23232

Factsheet

Aplysia gigantea

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