Sea Sheep? This Beautiful Sea Slug Consumes So Much Algae That It Photosynthesizes

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