Project Description

Grey Sea Slug

Scientific name:  Aeolidia papillosa
Size: Up to 12 cm in length
Colour: Usually grey, but may be shades of brown, orange, or purple.
Habitat: The most common habitat is the intertidal and sublittoral zones, meaning it is often found in our rockpools. However, it has been recorded to depths of up to 800m!

Facts:

  • Covered in thick, hair-like structures called cerata.
  • Eats sea anemones.
  • Leaves the stinging cells from the anemones undigested which it then uses for its own defence in the cerata!
  • Widespread across the UK and colder waters of the North Atlantic and Pacific.