I want to introduce you to some of the sea's most colourful characters: Nudibranchs! Some call them sea slugs, they're way more stunning than any land slug you've ever seen!

First, it is important to say that not all sea slugs are nudibranchs. The same as all poodles are dogs, not all dogs are poodles.

You can find these colourful wonders all over the world, from shallow tide pools where the sun shines bright, to the super deep, dark parts of the ocean.

Nudibranchs are incredible creatures that show us how beautiful and clever life in the ocean can be. They are not only beautiful, but true master of disguise and defence.

Nudibranchs are special because they don't have shells. They're naked, which is why they're called "nudibranchs" (it means "naked gill" in Latin). That's because their soft gills, which they use to breathe, are right out in the open on their backs, not tucked away in a shell! But they're not naked in the way we think of it! They have beautiful colours and patterns that help them hide from predators or attract mates. They are like the ocean's living works of art!

But is not just their beauty, these tiny creatures have some interesting powers!

These clever creatures can actually "wear" the colours of their food! They absorb the bright pigments from what they eat, making them blend in perfectly with their surroundings. They are surely masters of disguise.

Like some lizards, they can drop parts of their body, like their feelers (called rhinophores), to escape danger. They simply grow those parts back!

Nudibranchs are super special because they have both female parts and male parts all in one! That means when two nudibranchs meet, any two can be a pair!

Some nudibranchs can make sounds that humans can hear! Scientists are still trying to figure out exactly why they do it, but how cool is that?

Some nudibranchs can eat animals with stinging cells (like anemones) and then steal those stinging cells for their very own defence! How smart is that?

Just like land snails, nudibranchs leave a secret trail of chemicals behind them. This trail can warn other nudibranchs about danger or help them find a mate! 

Here are some tasks for you. We would be happy if you would share them with us:

Draw Your Own Nudibranch: Use your imagination to draw a colourful and crazy-looking nudibranch. You can give it any shape, colour, and pattern you like.
Nudibranch Hunt: Look for pictures of different nudibranchs online or in books. Can you find one that looks like a leaf or a flower? Let’s see who can find more!
Nudibranch Craft: Use coloured paper, markers and glue to create your own nudibranch. Cut out shapes and glue them together to make a colourful and creative creature.

Have fun exploring the wonderful world of nudibranchs!