Tag: gastropod

It’s coming into low tide and in the clear water it’s easy to see the fascinating creatures that live in this Eden under the water. A strange brownish-red ball of shaggy tassels can be found sitting on clumps of Codium tenue, a macroaglae species, the shaggy sea hare (Bursatella leachii).  These odd gastropods have no shell and are named for the two extended ear-like structures on their heads, making them look like the terrestrial hares. They are about 10cm in length and munch on alga or decaying matter. If disturbed they will produce a bright purple ink to deter any predator from eating them. As they prefer low intensity water flow, the canals of Thesen Islands Marina provide a perfect...