Sea Hares killing dogs in Western Australia

February 20, 2003
From: Kim Trotter

In Geraldton, Western Australia a large number of black sea slugs have been washed onto the beach. These are poisonous to dogs when they lick them and if not treated by a vet may cause death. Does anyone know if they are harmful to human beings?
Kim Trotter

trotterk@geraldton.wa.gov.au

Dear Kim,
This is almost certainly a Sea Hare and most probably Aplysia gigantea. If you look at that species page on the Forum you will see a message and photo from Peter Taylor and a subsequent discussion. I'm afraid I can't add much more. I'm surprised the dogs are getting very sick from just licking the slugs - maybe there are some toxic dinoflagellates around. Some Sea Hares produce distasteful nasty secretions in skin glands but they whole purpose of them is to deter feeding -they are very distasteful and one taste is usually enough to put most mammals off. I dont know of any reports of humans being affected by touching sea hares although a couple of reports exist of people being affected after eating them.

If you have any photos or any background information I could post on the Forum it would be useful as I am trying to build up information on the topic. As you will have realised it is not easy to find such information at present
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Feb 20). Comment on Sea Hares killing dogs in Western Australia by Kim Trotter. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9237

Factsheet

Aplysia gigantea

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