Invertebrates
Hooded Nudibranch
Melibe leonina · also called lion nudibranch
Sweeping a large, net-like hood through the water, a hooded nudibranch traps small swimming crustaceans inside before snapping it shut, an unusual hunting method for a sea slug that abandons the typical scraping mouthparts most of its relatives rely on.
Overview
The hooded nudibranch, Melibe leonina, is a sea slug found in kelp forests and eelgrass beds along the Pacific coast of North America. Its oversized net-like feeding hood, ability to swim by flexing its body, and distinctive fruity scent make it one of the more behaviourally unusual nudibranchs in the ocean.
A net instead of a mouth
While most nudibranchs scrape food off surfaces with a specialised mouthpart called a radula, the hooded nudibranch has largely abandoned that approach in favour of an oversized, tentacle-lined hood that functions more like a fishing net than a conventional mouth.
Status
Not Evaluated for conservation status, found across suitable kelp forest and eelgrass habitat along the Pacific coast of North America.
Hooded Nudibranch: common questions
How does the hooded nudibranch catch food?
Unlike most nudibranchs, which scrape food with a radula, it uses a large, expandable, net-like hood lined with tentacles, sweeping it through the water to trap small crustaceans before closing the hood to prevent them from escaping.
Can the hooded nudibranch swim?
Yes, it can swim short distances by flexing its body from side to side, a trait that sets it apart from many nudibranch species that remain attached to the substrate.
Why does the hooded nudibranch smell like fruit?
It produces a distinctive scent often described as resembling watermelon or cantaloupe when handled, though the biological reason for this smell is not fully understood.
Where is the hooded nudibranch found?
It is native to kelp forests and eelgrass beds along the Pacific coast of North America.