{"id":41249,"date":"2024-08-20T10:13:03","date_gmt":"2024-08-20T08:13:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/063649e1-7c4e-49a7-89f3-260fc94a25c7"},"modified":"2024-08-20T11:27:29","modified_gmt":"2024-08-20T09:27:29","slug":"what-a-beauty-first-ever-sighting-of-rainbow-sea-slug-in-devon-dazzles-underwater-photographer","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/what-a-beauty-first-ever-sighting-of-rainbow-sea-slug-in-devon-dazzles-underwater-photographer\/","title":{"rendered":"“What a beauty!” First-ever sighting of rainbow sea slug in Devon dazzles underwater photographer \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

The rare rainbow sea slug, usually found in the Mediterranean, was discovered by a family while rockpooling in Devon. <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 20 August 2024 at 08:13 AM<\/p>

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A young nudibranch enthusiast made a brilliant discovery while rockpooling in Devon.<\/strong><\/p>

Felix Lever and her father Ashley were looking through the rockpools when they found a\u00a0rainbow\u00a0nudibranch (sea slug), which is usually found in the Mediterranean.\u00a0<\/p>

The rare sea slug was found in a rockpool near Wembury on the south coast of Devon. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>

\u201cWhat a beauty!\u201d says local marine biologist and underwater photographer\u00a0Dr Paul Naylor<\/a>\u00a0on Instagram. <\/p>

Naylor \u2013 who also happens to be Felix\u2019s grandfather \u2013 adds that the sea slug was \u201crecognised as something very special and unusual by\u00a0nudibranch\u00a0expert\u00a0Felix.\u201d<\/p>

The rainbow sea slug was caught on camera. Credit: Paul Naylor<\/figcaption><\/figure>

\u201cIt\u2019s 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<\/a> for that matter) I have ever seen!\u201d says Coral Smith,\u00a0Devon Wildlife Trust<\/a>\u2019s Marine Engagement Officer, who also visited the rockpool to see the stunning animal.<\/p>

While seeing the slug in Devon was amazing, Coral adds that it could be worrying from a conservation perspective, saying: <\/p>

\u201cThe discovery of the rainbow sea slug here in Devon is a strong indicator that our seas are warming due to climate change. <\/p>

“Because it can now survive here means that other creatures adapted to colder water will be struggling.\u201d<\/p>

Image and video credit: Paul Naylor<\/em><\/p>

More amazing wildlife stories<\/strong><\/p>