In case you haven't heard, nudibranchs are the hottest new hit on the [underwater] block. These tiny, colourful sea slugs bring joy to underwater photographers and divers worldwide. For many, the fascination may seem extreme (and perhaps borderline obsessive), but let me assure you, the reasonings are very valid. So let me take you on a journey under the microscope, and very soon, I'm sure you'll understand why.
They are just so colourful!
Since evolving from their shelled ancestors, nudibranchs have ditched their shells and instead developed bright colour displays as a form of protection. The name, "Nudibranch" literally translates from "nudi" to naked and "branch" to gills.
In order to protect their exposed gills, some species produce their own toxins, and others obtain their toxins from their diet. They use their toothed tongue, or "radula" to feed on venomous sponges and corals and absorb these toxins for themselves!
Other nudibranchs, in a biological phenomenon called "mimicry," simply pretend to be toxic to scare off predators with their bright colours. So the ones who aren't poisonous are just pretending. Because of this, nudibranchs do not have many predators, and are only at risk from other nudibranchs, turtles, some crabs and humans (although I've heard they're not very tasty).
There are so many different kinds, including the Oreo Nudibranch, Pikachu and Shaun the Sheep!
These crazy-looking slugs come in all kinds of shapes and colours, in fact, there are over 3000 different species! For divers, finding a new species of nudibranch is like finding a new Pokémon. To support this hypothesis, here is an image of one species I was lucky enough to find while completing my PADI Dive Instructor Course in Malaysia:
Behold, the Pikachu nudibranch! It is widely hypothesised that that the creators of Pokémon got the idea for Pikachu from a real animal... And here he is! The real life Pikachu is a nudibranch!! We were lucky enough to spot this teeny tiny individual (only ~1cm long) on a drift dive on Mabul Island, Malaysia. The current was strong so I had to kick fairly hard to get the shot.
Now, if Pikachu didn't make you jump for joy, then sure do I hope this Shaun the Sheep Nudibranch does! I took this photo on the 27th night of November (and also, more importantly, my 27th birthday). It was a full moon, the sun had just set and we hit the water for a night dive, on a mission to find some cool critters to photograph.
Never did we think we would stumble across the legendary Shaun the Sheep Nudibranch! Once a distant dream, I can now be proud to have witnessed the existence of one of these fabled creatures. Check out the photo below to see how microscopic he was compared to the thumb of our dive guide!!
And here's a close up... (isn't he SO CUTE)?!
They might even be useful one day...
In Chinese cultures, nudibranchs are believed to have healing properties. Here, they are eaten for protection and to help cure diseases. They are said to ward off evil, while holding the wisdom of the universe in their tiny bodies (and I believe it)!
And while it is a common joke between scientists that nudibranchs are a rather "useless" species, I beg to differ. Nudibranchs serve as an inspiration for artists and writers from all around the world. Needless to say, they make great photography subjects, and could also serve as a useful indicator species to measure the health of a coral reef. Most importantly, they give us the courage to be fully ourselves, as crazy, fun, wild and colourful as we may be.
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