Scientific Name: Elysia degeneri
Common Name: Degener’s sap-sucking slug

Adult Size: 10 – 25 mm
Depth Range: 1 – 15 m
Biotope / Habitat: Found in shallow seagrass beds and algal-covered rocks, where it feeds and blends in perfectly
Diet: Feeds on algae by sucking out the cell contents, a process known as kleptoplasty that allows it to temporarily retain chloroplasts for photosynthesis
Reproduction: Hermaphroditic; mates reciprocally, with egg ribbons laid in spiral or coiled shapes on algae and seagrass
Fun Fact: Elysia degeneri can perform photosynthesis thanks to the chloroplasts it steals from algae, making it a true solar-powered slug!

This charming slug’s green, leaf-like body allows it to blend seamlessly with the algae and seagrass it calls home. Watch for its gentle, gliding movement in the shallows!