Skip to main content


Nature is full of surprises. Meet Costasiella kuroshimae, an adorable species of sea slug known as “leaf sheep.”

At no more than 8mm, these tiny ocean critters graze on algae & keep chloroplasts in their bodies for up to 10 days. They supplement their diet through photosynthesis to create energy, which is why they’re sometimes referred to as “solar-powered sea slugs.” https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210324-the-odd-sea-creature-powered-by-the-sun #nature #science #SharedPlanet
This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to Sheril Kirshenbaum

So cute looking and love the “solar-powered sea slugs.”
in reply to Sheril Kirshenbaum

The internet is full of surprises, I never thought I'd be seeing the word "adorable" linked to slugs today, or any day for that matter.
I can only see them as adorable if I pretend they're caterpillars.
in reply to Nina Wilson

Sea slugs are *very* different from land slugs. Try an image search for "nudibranchs"!

They are some of the most beautiful and varied animals you will ever see! 😁👏

Nature really is amazing! 😀

#Nature #Science #SeaSlugs #Nudibranchs

#5ciFiGirl
This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to Kd nerdychic

@kdelucca30 @5ciFiGirl @NinaWilson https://mastodon.social/@Sheril/109642097936616505
in reply to Sheril Kirshenbaum

Facinating. I always associated chlorophyll with plant. Never with animal. Maybe there's an area of research here to see if they are unique in this. Cows eat grass. Hmmm🤔
in reply to Sheril Kirshenbaum

Now I see where the science fiction people get their ideas for the creatures.
in reply to Sheril Kirshenbaum

DNA, even entire cellular syructures moving sideways, DNA added to creature's identity without sex. One of the Sea slugs that have aquired thevability to eat sunlight from plants.

DNA moving into a cell and altering it. Sunlight eating animals.

Makes Monsanto efforts at radical gene splicing seem just that much more insane.
in reply to Sheril Kirshenbaum

this is something that I can see becoming your new personality @Neem
@Neem
in reply to Sheril Kirshenbaum

I wonder if ancient oceans contained the ancestors of the mitochondria that power our cells today, in a similar fashion.
in reply to Sheril Kirshenbaum

I think I speak for all of Mastodon when I say WE WOULD DIE FOR U LEAF SHEEP
in reply to Sheril Kirshenbaum

Adorable! Could we humans duplicate that process? In cars & buildings? That would be progress!
in reply to Sheril Kirshenbaum

I have a nice picture of one as my wallpaper on my computer at work, he’s called Henry, as suggested by one of my team.
in reply to Sheril Kirshenbaum

wow, that is something. Early stages of fullu photosynthesizing animals
in reply to Sheril Kirshenbaum

@Sheril. Sheril, read a statement decades ago "Oceans have more amazing secrets under their bellies than entire World outside". More we discover, more we are convinced!. You, as a Marine Biologist can enlighten us more! 👍😇🌹🙏( You are already doing it, I learnt about you only after I joined Mostodon! Thanks Sheril.👍👏🌹🙏
in reply to Sheril Kirshenbaum

Oh, I love these!

I actually worked on a tongue-in-cheek marine animal dating sim with some friends a few years back that featured one of these!

https://marinedateologists.itch.io/whaleswaldo
in reply to Sheril Kirshenbaum

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand now it's gonna be in a future Furry dating sim I make.
in reply to Sheril Kirshenbaum

Awesome.

/i:We need to find a way to introduce the pertinent genes of the sea slugs into cows, including gills, so as to offset their enormous #methane footprint./i 😉
This entry was edited (1 year ago)

Lo, thar be cookies on this site to keep track of your login. By clicking 'okay', you are CONSENTING to this.