The “sea bunny,” a popular marine creature, has captivated audiences with its distinctive appearance. Despite its common name, this animal is not a rabbit but rather a type of sea slug, scientifically known as Jorunna parva. It belongs to the nudibranch order, a group of soft-bodied marine mollusks. The sea bunny’s viral popularity stems from its unique look.
Unpacking Their Size and Distinctive Look
Sea bunnies are small, typically measuring less than one inch (2.54 cm), ranging from 1 to 2.5 centimeters. The features that contribute to their “bunny” appearance are specialized sensory organs. The two prominent, ear-like structures on their head are called rhinophores, which help them detect chemical scents in the water, aiding in finding food and potential mates. These rhinophores are particularly fuzzy, increasing their surface area for reception.
What appears to be a fluffy coat is not fur but a covering of tiny rod-like structures called caryophyllidia or papillae, which give the sea bunny its velvety or furry texture. These structures are also thought to play a sensory role. The sea bunny’s “tail” is its branchial plume, a cluster of external gills located at its rear, which are often frilly and can be retracted. While commonly depicted as white with black spots, sea bunnies exhibit various colorations, including yellow, orange, brown, and even green. The black spots are often interspersed among papillae of their main color.
Beyond the Bunny – Where They Live and What They Do
Sea bunnies primarily inhabit the coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. They are found in tropical and temperate regions, including Japan, the Philippines, Australia, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Réunion. These small creatures typically reside in shallow waters, often near rocky reefs and tide pools, clinging to submerged vegetation or the ocean floor.
Sea bunnies are carnivores, with their diet primarily consisting of toxic sea sponges from the family Chalinidae. They use a specialized feeding organ called a radula to scrape off and consume their prey. Sea bunnies absorb toxins from the sponges they eat, incorporating these compounds into their own tissues as a defense mechanism. When threatened, they can release these sequestered toxins, making them unappetizing to predators. The average lifespan of a sea bunny is relatively short, typically ranging from a few months to a year.