Featured Image Credit: Sylke Rohrlach via Flickr
By Natalie Helbling
Sea slugs. Who would’ve thought that there were even such a thing?
Sea slugs are a very common marine invertebrate that inhabit many shallow and coastal waters. Their vibrant colors and unique designs often catch the eye of a diver or a snorkeler. There are nearly 3000 species of sea slugs, and probably more that have yet to be identified.
Scientists in Australia are using these intriguing creatures to document the effect of climate change. The slugs are slowly moving southward to cooler waters. They believe that as climate change is occurring, the species is reacting to the temperature change and is heading south. This is not the only species that has been linked to moving due to climate change, but it is one of the easier animals to document.
Because of their colors and captivating patterns, they are easy to spot and can be reported by recreational divers and scientists who come across them. The Sea Slug Census is an up and coming data collection of sea slugs and their locations, allowing scientists to see their movement.
This just goes to show you, that every creature, large and small can be affected by climate change. If you’re out and about in Australia exploring the waters, make sure to keep an eye out for a sea slug and to report its location!