Nudibranchs have inexplicably held the fascination of divers from a long time, frequently being the cause for that smile behind the dive mask whenever an avid diver chances upon one. No matter how many you may have seen, a diver will always spare a glance or two to observe this underwater enigma. I guess for most divers, the initial fascination for this creature stems from an almost immature attraction for the word “nudibranch” itself.
Pronounced “Nude-a-brank” this creatures name is derived from the Latin words nudus, naked, and the Greek brankhia, gills. The name is suitable for this creature, since the nudibranch breathes through a branchial plume of bushy extremities on its back, rather than using gills.
Once the juvenile attraction for the word nudibranch wears out, divers often begin to truly appreciate the over 3000 varieties , the various colors and forms that this distant relative of the sea slug comes in. Many divers often wrongfully conclude that all sea slugs are nudibranchs, but there are a wide variety of other kinds of sea slugs, belonging to several groups that are not very closely related to nudibranchs.These soft-bodied creatures are hermaphrodites, being both male and female at the same time. They lay eggs but rarely fertilize themselves. And even more fascinating is their minuscule lifespan varying, from one short month to about a year.
Nudibranchs are carnivores and while they can grow upto 50 cms , they will occasionally consume the passing jelly fish. Their bright colors serve, as a warning to would be predators and they are frequently toxic or poisonous.
This exotic sea creature strangely is unknown to a lot of people, many of whom are divers, who may come across one of its 3000 varieties during a dive and not even realize it. However once you have been introduced to the nudibranch, I promise you will never tire of seeing them, and it will almost certainly be the cause for that smile under your dive mask.
* Photographs by David Doubilet / Source National Geographic (View Full Gallery)
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