These Horrifying Sea Slugs Smell Like Watermelon Candies. (Part 1)

              The lion’s mane nudibranch may not have the charisma of an actual lion, but their method of hunting is much more terrifying. In fact, it sets them apart from all other sea slugs. But it’s not their weirdest feature. หลีเป๊ะ ที่พัก No, that would be a trait you’d never expect in an animal, and especially not one that lives in the ocean.

Before we get to that, though, let’s talk about that goofy “oral hood”. You know, the big frilly part of their heads? That’s where they get the lion moniker, as well as the much less-fun common name: hooded sea slug. That hood is totally unique to these slugs.  And while it might look kind of awkward, it’s actually a somewhat horrifying way of capturing prey. See, they use them to ambush their meals, things like jellyfish, little planktonic critters, or even small fish. They just wrap it around their prey, หลีเป๊ะ ที่พัก using those hairy edges, which are called cirri, to seal the trap shut. The unfortunate victim is then digested alive, because unlike other slugs, they don’t have any hard bits for chewing or crushing. So, we should be glad they top out at about seventeen and a half centimeters long. But, like I said, this disturbing hunting style is not their weirdest feature. Oh, and it’s not those paddle-like bits, either.