Those pictures are really cool, but I definitely wouldn't call them cute. posted by overglow at 10:18 PM on May 18, 2008
Woah. These things are awesome. Great photos, too. I have some great ideas for how I could use them in a shoot, but I kind of suspect I can't go pick them up from my pet store. posted by Stunt at 10:26 PM on May 18, 2008
I can't stop looking at pimp slug (last page, first one). That would be the best little pet to have on a leash. Aww, cute toxic pimp slug. posted by avocet at 10:31 PM on May 18, 2008
I think your list of tags aptly and oddly covers all my reactions.
Then I decided to look up slugs on Wikipedia:
The largest group of marine shell-less gastropods or sea slugs are the nudibranchs, but there are in addition many other groups of sea slug such as the heterobranch sea butterflies, sea angels, and sea hares, as well as the only very distantly related, pelagic, caenogastropod sea slugs, which are within the superfamily Carinarioidea.
More from the land slugs page: Slugs are hermaphrodites, having both female and male reproductive organs. Once a slug has located a mate they encircle each other and sperm is exchanged through their protruding genitalia. A few days later around 30 eggs are laid into a hole in the ground or under the cover of objects such as fallen logs.
A commonly seen practice among many slugs is apophallation, when one or both of the slugs chews off the other's penis. The penis of these species is curled like a cork-screw and often becomes entangled in their mate's genitalia in the process of exchanging sperm. When all else fails, apophallation allows the slugs to separate themselves. Once its penis has been removed, a slug is still able to participate in mating subsequently, but only using the female parts of its reproductive system.
I'd like to think that these whimsically named nudibranchs behave somewhat differently from their less colorful land-dwelling relatives, but regardless, I'm a little bit (ok, a lot) horrified. They're also carnivores. posted by iamkimiam at 10:33 PM on May 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
Those look delicious. posted by Poolio at 10:35 PM on May 18, 2008
Whoa. The last one's a dead ringer for my ex.
Thanks for the link. posted by dobbs at 10:36 PM on May 18, 2008
The Sea Slug Forum has lots of beautiful pictures of all kinds of sea slugs. They are my favorite marine animal. posted by winna at 12:01 AM on May 19, 2008
beautiful, and new to me. thanks a lot. posted by nicolin at 12:21 AM on May 19, 2008
What a pity they are photoshopped out of their natural environment. posted by DreamerFi at 12:46 AM on May 19, 2008
My goodness these pictures are beautiful. posted by Burns Ave. at 12:58 AM on May 19, 2008
Those pictures are really cool, but I definitely wouldn't call them cute.
posted by overglow
Well one of them is, at least. First slug on the last page. Such a cutie. posted by vewystwange at 2:42 AM on May 19, 2008
This reminds me of recent attempts to buy running shoes. posted by srboisvert at 4:16 AM on May 19, 2008 [3 favorites]
Viewing tip: There are multiple pages. To get to the next page you need to click on the >|. posted by srboisvert at 4:20 AM on May 19, 2008
Is their natural defense that they look like a cross between sushi and gummi candy? Because I'd be dead inside of a week if I lived in the sea. posted by Uther Bentrazor at 4:45 AM on May 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
And I just came from watching a neat video of a nudibranch called an "Orange Spanish Dancer" over on pharyngula.org. What timing. posted by mystyk at 5:48 AM on May 19, 2008
Those pictures are really cool, but I definitely wouldn't call them cute.
Absolutely awesome! Bornella anguilla (the sixth one on the first page) is the new love my life.
Sea hares are the largest of the sea slugs. The Black California Sea Hare can weigh up to 35 pounds!
I just googled for images of them and now I know why they are called sea hares. They kind of look like a bunny with two elephantine trunks and two tails...maybe? Really cute though! posted by hecho de la basura at 7:24 AM on May 19, 2008
Wonderful first post, thanks phunniemee. I should pass the link on to the local cake shop. Some delicious kids' birthday cake inspiration there. posted by peacay at 7:42 AM on May 19, 2008
Go, Team Sea Slug! posted by owtytrof at 9:01 AM on May 19, 2008
From the "Statements You Never Expected to Make" file:
My, what gorgeous slugs those are! Gracias. posted by FelliniBlank at 9:27 AM on May 19, 2008
Aww, they are cannibalistic too. Not that I can blame them. If my kin were that cute, I'd want to eat them as well. posted by quin at 9:33 AM on May 19, 2008
I often forget that some of the coolest looking and most colorful creatures are actually real. Thanks for the post! posted by Gular at 9:36 AM on May 19, 2008
Nature is so much more awesome than any of the crap we stupid humans create. posted by DieHipsterDie at 9:41 AM on May 19, 2008
Those are just stunningly beautiful. I've been clearing my house of crap, but I'm going to buy my first print copy of National Geographic in years just because I need to see those in full, properly printed colour. posted by maudlin at 5:02 PM on May 19, 2008
And according to the video dobbs linked to above, they are those combos of glorious colours because of the toxic stuff they eat (including each other). They say to the rest of the ocean, "If you eat me, you will die."
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posted by amyms at 10:09 PM on May 18, 2008 [1 favorite]