10 Interesting facts About Nudibranchs

Fun Facts you many Have Never Heard About The World's Prettiest Slugs

1- "Naked branchia", what a funny name ?

"Naked branchia", (naked gills) is the etymology of the name that was given to them. This one is explained in particular by the morphology of the nudibranch. The word Nudibranch comes from the Latin nudus meaning "naked" and the Greek brankhia (βράγχια) meaning "gills", the nudibranch is therefore by that recognizable by the absence of shell used to protect its gills.

2- Nudibranchs come in a thousand and one colours

Nowadays, there are more than 3000 species of nudibranchs. The diversity of possible color combinations and patterns is impressive. They are all unique in their own way and are the delight of underwater photographers who are always delighted to find these mysterious and beautiful species.

Spanish Dancer

Glossodoris rufomarginata

3- Nudibranch have some rare super powers

The sensory organs of nudibranchs, the rhinophores, allow them to distinguish the chemical particles present in the water, and more particularly smell from afar potential food sources, the pheromones of sexual partners or the presence of certain threats.

Elysia marginata

4- Nudibranch are carnivorous

A true nudibranch is carnivorous and it uses its very powerful jaw to grate its food. Each specie has its preferences but it feeds mainly on sponges, bryozoans, ascidians and hydras. Many nudis feeds on toxic animals and store the toxins in specialized cells as a smart defense mechanism...
​Some species are cannibals, they feed on other nudibranchs, exceptionally specimens of the same species if no other food is available.

Goniobranchus geminus

5- Both nudibranch parents will lay eggs!

Nudibranchs are hermaphrodites, which means that they have both a male and a female genital system.
When two nudibranchs meet, they put in contact with their genitals to exchange their male gametes, in order to fertilize their female gametes.
Thus, both will leave this encounter pregnant and give birth to baby nudibranchs doubling the Nudi Hatchlings! Smart.

Goniobranchus annulatus

6- Nudibranch can sacrifice a part of their body to save the core

The nudibranch has many powers, contraction of the body, retraction of the gills, "hedge hogging" of the papillae, secretion of toxic or acid substances, isn't he a superhero? It also has the ability to practice autotomy, that is to say that it can auto-amputee a part of the body which will regenerate itself afterwards. Just like lizard leave their tail behind, the nudibranch, will be ready to give up its branchial plumage, its rhinophore or a fragment of its mantle in order to save the essential part of its body. Small but smart !

Glossodoris hikuerensis

7- Some nudibranchs don't need to eat

Some species of nudibranchs have the ability to store photosynthetic algae inside their bodies. They only need to eat for the first few weeks of their life and once they have enough, the algae present in its tissue provides enough energy from the light for the both of them !​

blue dragon, the self sufficient nudibranch

8- The nudibranch is a strong communicator

Just like the land snails we know, nudibranchs leave a trail behind them.
​This trail is filled with chemicals and speaks a thousand words! It can tell other nudibranchs about nearby dangers or help a potential partner to find it !

9- Nudibranchs like to take it slow

Nudibranch are very slow animals, which is why they are nicknamed "sea slugs". But they are also clever ! they often live on or near their preys not to lose sight of them.

10- Nudibranch don't live long: Carpe Diem for the nudibranch!

Black and purple flat worm

Nudibranchs should make the most of their short lives. Indeed, while most nudibranchs live only a few weeks, the luckiest species rarely live up to over a year.

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