Second hand stings
Not all molluscs are vegetarian, nor do they all sport protective shells. The sea has its own slugs and they're conspicuous for a very good reason - they carry poison. These slugs come in a variety of shapes and colours, but the warning message to predators is the same: 'Keep away'. They prefer to eat hydroids - flower-like animals that contain stinging cells which deter most predators, but not the slug. The stinging cells in the hydroid's tentacles are eaten whole and they're unharmed by the slug's digestion. The cells are transferred to the coloured fingers on the slug's back and now become the slug's own defence.
Duration:
This clip is from
Featured in...
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Nature
Be captivated, informed and inspired by the world's wildlife.
More clips from Splashdown
-
Britain's ugliest fish
Duration: 01:23
-
Hand feeding fish
Duration: 01:22
-
Flowing fresh
Duration: 03:05
-
Black eggs
Duration: 01:22
More clips from Natural World
-
Robo Hare Vs Golden Eagle—2019-2020, Super Powered Eagles
Duration: 02:41
-
Super Powered Eagles—2019-2020, Super Powered Eagles
Duration: 01:15
-
Meet Tilly the golden eagle—2019-2020, Super Powered Eagles
Duration: 02:01