Forums
Antarctic Undersea ROV 08

Hi Cameo, My name is Ricky and I would like to know what a nudibranch is. I am interested in writing to you while you are in the antarctic, can I write to you twice a week?

Ricky (Flagstaff, Arizona)

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 13:07

Cameo Slaybaugh

Hi Ricky -
Thanks for writing to me.  A nudibranch is also known as a "sea slug."  They are shell-less gastropod mollusks.  They come in lots of pretty colors and unusual shapes.  
I would love it if you wrote to me.  I look forward to hearing from you.
Cameo :) 

Mon, 09/22/2008 - 15:06

Stacy Kim

Hi Ricky,
Here's a couple of other interesting things about nudibranchs.  Nudibranch means "naked gills" and the feathery structures you see on the back in the picture are the gills.  Nudibranchs feed on anemones and other animals with stinging cells, and they harvest the cells and hold them in their gills where they can sting other animals that come to eat them! The pretty colors that Cameo mentioned are a warning sign to other animals to STAY AWAY or they'll get stung.