It all started years ago. In a highschool oceanography class. We had a project. To make a presentation on any sea creature (and how it realted to what we we're studing in the class). I, of course, wanted to present on the coolest and weirdest creature I could find. After much research and deliberation, I settled on Sea Slugs. This took over my personality for the rest of the year. I became obsessed (and for good reason). Over the years my sea slug craze waned, but this situation opened my eyes (to what has taken over my personality since). Just how interesting and weird and cool the world can be. Reality is stranger than fiction. There are so many beautiful things you would never learn, unless you take the time to slow down, open your mind, and listen
What really got me hooked on these fasinating creatures, is the fact that some species of Sea Slugs, have the abitlty to photosynthesize. The Eastern Emerald Green Sea Slug (scientific name: Elysia Chlorotica) is my personal favorite of these species. Through a process known as Kleptoplasty, they are able to retain chloroplasts after consuming algal strands. These chloroplasts allow them to photosynthesize, over time the slug will no longer need to eat, and rely soleley (more like sol-ley) on the sun.
Another interseting procsess sea slugs have, is known as Autotomy. When in danger, the slugs are able to voluntary shed a part of their body. Their whole body. This species of slug is essentially able to decapate themselves, and temporarily function off of a backup supply of chloroplasts in their head, until the rest of their body regrows.