Across their 10,000 species, sea slugs sport striking colors, external gills, and even the ability to regrow a body from a severed head.

Science Friday

[email protected] (Shoshannah Buxbaum, Flora Lichtman)

Don’t Let Their Name Fool You—Sea Slugs Are Awesome

DEC 8, 202523 MIN
Science Friday

Don’t Let Their Name Fool You—Sea Slugs Are Awesome

DEC 8, 202523 MIN

Description

Today we’re spotlighting an underappreciated group of marine creatures: sea slugs. Don’t let their humble name fool you. They come in vivid neon colors, with patterns that rival the most beautiful butterflies and feather-like external gills and tentacles.

There are an estimated 10,000 species of sea slugs and they are incredibly diverse. Some are smaller than a quarter. And one species can weigh more than a terrier, up to 30 pounds. Not to mention their contributions to brain research—understanding their neural networks was the basis for a Nobel Prize in 2000.  

Marine biologist Patrick Krug joins Host Ira Flatow to dive into the slimy science of sea slugs. 

Guest: Dr. Patrick Krug is a sea slug researcher and professor of biological sciences at Cal State LA.

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