It's a
sheep, that's what it is! It's a calf! Costasiella
kuroshimae (also known as "Leaf Sheep") is the species.
This cute tiny sea slug with its beady eyes and cute feelers resembles a
cartoon sea sheep and feeds on algae just like the real thing!
The small
cute species, which can grow up to 5mm in length and can be found around Japan,
Indonesia, and the Philippines, is remarkable because it is one of the world's
few water organisms that can do photosynthesis (the others all belong to the sacoglossa sea slug
clade). When these strange organisms devour algae the chloroplasts are sucked
out and incorporated into their bodies in a process known as kleptoplasty. This
procedure, which can only be carried out by single-celled creatures, effectively
transforms them into solar-powered slugs.
Check out
this lovely ‘sea bunny' sea slug to cement the deal if this beautiful little
animal of the sea has encouraged you to see sea slugs freshly!
For more
details: seaslugforum.net
This
adorable tiny sea sheep is a sea slug that enjoys eating algae.
Image
credits: Jim Lynn
It's one of
the only animals on the planet that can photosynthesize with algae!
Image
credits: Jim Lynn
These tiny
nibblers have been discovered From Japan to Indonesia and the Philippines.
Image
credits: Randi Ang
Image
credits: Johnny Chiu
Baaaaaa!
Image credits: Lynn Wu
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