And more Aplysia from Florida

March 4, 2001
From: Dawn A.

We found 5 Sea hares close to the shore (and some even washing up) on Pompano Beach [Florida] today. All of the sea hares were about 6-8 inches in diameter. How can you tell a male from a female? We handled the sea hares, not really knowing if it was safe, but we wanted to get them back in the water from the sure, as not to dry out in the hot sun. Is there any part of handling the animal dangerous to humans? One did secrete the purple/pink dye...freaked me out, but didn't seem to harm me.
Great site!!
Dawn.

Hamsterchickster@cs.com

Dawn A., 2001 (Mar 4) And more Aplysia from Florida. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3903

Dear Dawn,
Sea Hares have definitely been making their presence felt in Florida. Have a look at Jackie's message, also from Pompano Beach, which I have posted today for some background information on Sea Hares and why they are sometimes found in large numbers. I am pretty sure your animal is Aplysia brasiliana.


About your specific questions. No Sea Hares can't harm you and the purple ink is harmless. Have a look at the Sea Hares Page for some general information. If you are not familiar with web pages - click on any underlined word and you will be taken to a relevant page. On telling males from females, all sea slugs are hermaphrodites. That is they are fully functional males and females. If you are interested there is a photo of a group of them on the Sea Hares mating page.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Note added March 9, 2001: This is A. morio not A. brasiliana. See message. A. morio is an uniform dark brown or black while A. brasiliana has a mottled colour pattern of dark and light brown.

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Mar 4). Comment on And more Aplysia from Florida by Dawn A.. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3903

Factsheet

Aplysia morio

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