A young nudibranch enthusiast made a brilliant discovery while rockpooling in Devon.
Felix Lever and her father Ashley were looking through the rockpools when they found a rainbow nudibranch (sea slug), which is usually found in the Mediterranean.
“What a beauty!” says local marine biologist and underwater photographer Dr Paul Naylor on Instagram.
Naylor – who also happens to be Felix’s grandfather – adds that the sea slug was “recognised as something very special and unusual by nudibranch expert Felix.”
“It’s a type of Aeolid nudibranch, part of a family of very brightly coloured sea slugs. This must be the most brightly coloured, beautiful sea slug (or sea creature for that matter) I have ever seen!” says Coral Smith, Devon Wildlife Trust’s Marine Engagement Officer, who also visited the rockpool to see the stunning animal.
While seeing the slug in Devon was amazing, Coral adds that it could be worrying from a conservation perspective, saying:
“The discovery of the rainbow sea slug here in Devon is a strong indicator that our seas are warming due to climate change.
"Because it can now survive here means that other creatures adapted to colder water will be struggling.”
Image and video credit: Paul Naylor
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