Swimming Sea Hare from Western Australia

May 5, 2010
From: Stephen Clifford


I spotted what appeared to be a pure black creature that looked like a nudibranch and was moving through the water like a spanish dancer. It was about 45 cm long and did not shy or change course when i approached. I asked a season photographer aboard the dive boat and he was unable to identify what it was. Would like information as to what it actually was and if it has been seen before.

Locality: Daves cave , Rottnest island, 19 mtrs, Western Australia, australia, indian ocean, 25 april 2010, weedy bottom, partial sand patches. Length: 450 mm. Photographer: stephen clifford.

Thanks
Stephen Clifford

stevecliffo@yahoo.com.au

Clifford, S.L., 2010 (May 5) Swimming Sea Hare from Western Australia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/23564

Dear Steve,

This is Sea Hare. Not all species are able to swim but this large Australian species, Aplysia gigantea, certainly can. It is best known in Western Australia for washing up on sandy beaches at the end of its life cycle, where for some reason it can cause inquisitive dogs to go into convulsions. See messages attached to the species Fact Sheet for further information.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2010 (May 5). Comment on Swimming Sea Hare from Western Australia by Stephen Clifford. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/23564

Factsheet

Aplysia gigantea

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