S is for Sea Slug

Ever think you saw part of someone’s left over salad moving slowly over the shallow reef?  Well, more than likely you are looking at a little creature called the lettuce sea slug.  This tiny creature, ranging from one to four inches, looks a bit like left over lettuce. It has a very ruffled back, and the very common ones are a lettuce green color, and some with green and red markings.  There is also a vibrant blue variety. It is oblong in shape and has two knob-like antennae on its head.  You can find these creatures in the waters off Florida, the Bahamas, and down into the Caribbean.  They live in fairly shallow water where there is an abundant supply of algae, which they feed on.  They move slowly over the reef eating the plentiful algae. Sometimes it is difficult to find them, because they blend in so well with the algae that they feed on, and they are so small.  They are, however, fascinating creatures so next time out on the shallows, see if you can find and observe these little fellows.

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