Aplysiidae
The Aplysiidae, commonly known as sea hares, are a family of large sea slugs, marine gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Aplysioidea. These herbivorous mollusks are found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. They are known for their large size, ranging from a few centimeters to over a foot in length, and their distinctive, hare-like body shape.
Characteristics
Sea hares have a number of distinctive characteristics that set them apart from other sea slugs. They have a prominent head with two long, rhinophore-like tentacles, which are used for sensing the environment. They also have a large, flat foot that they use for crawling along the seabed.
One of the most striking features of sea hares is their ability to produce ink. They have a special ink sac that contains a dark, inky fluid that they can release into the water when threatened. The ink serves to confuse predators, allowing the sea hare to escape.
Another interesting feature of sea hares is their ability to lay large, ribbon-like egg masses. These masses can contain thousands of eggs and are often attached to rocks or seaweed.
Environment
Sea hares are found in a variety of marine environments, including rocky shores, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs. They are typically found in shallow water, but some species can be found at depths of up to 100 meters.
Sea hares are herbivores and feed on a variety of marine algae. They have a radula, which is a toothed structure in their mouth, that they use to scrape algae off of surfaces.
Common Names
Sea hares are commonly known by a variety of names, including:
- Sea slug
- Black sea hare
- California sea hare
- Spanish dancer
References
For more information about sea hares, please visit the following websites: