Marine Life

California Sea Hare
(Aplysia californica)
Courtesy of Tom Haight

This slow-moving sea slug is reddish brown in color but can even be greenish or tan. It grows to lengths of over a foot and can tip the scales at 2 to 4 pounds, although most are smaller. This differs from its close relative, the Black Sea Hare, which can be up to 3 feet long and weigh 30 pounds! Sea hares get their name from the rabbit ear-like projections on their heads. They are herbivorous finding their food by a keen sense of smell. They are found normally in shallow water and tide pools, especially in areas where wave action is reduced. When alarmed, the sea hare will release a purple ink, similar to an octopus, to confuse its predator. Sea hares are simultaneous hermaphrodites. This means they possess both male and female sex organs which allows them to mate with any other sea hare they chance upon.