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Nudibranch

Nudibranch (Facelina auriculata) ©Alex Mustard/2020VISION

What is a Nudibranch?

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Scientific name: Over 100 different species in the UK’
Nudibranchs, also known as sea slugs, are much like their land-based relatives that you may spot in your garden. But, unlike your regular garden slug, the nudibranch can incorporate the stinging cells from their prey into their own bodies – giving them a defence against predators!

Top facts

Category

Stats

Length: Species vary in size from a few millimetres to several centimetres in length. The largest British species has been recorded at 20cm.

Conservation status

Common

When to see

January to December

About

Nudibranchs, also known as sea slugs, are soft-bodied marine molluscs that lack external shells. There are more than 100 species in UK seas, where they feed on seaweeds, sea mats, sponges, anemones and other nudibranchs. Unlike your regular garden slug, the nudibranch can incorporate the stinging cells from their prey into their own bodies – giving them a defence against predators. They are often brightly coloured – with some resembling a fireworks display!

What to look for

Nudibranchs come in many colours and forms, often with two horn-like tentacles or feathery gills.

Where to find

Widespread around the UK.

Habitats

Did you know?

Nudibranchs are hermaphrodites, which means they have both male and female reproductive organs.