This Adorable Sea Slug is a Sneaky Little Thief | Deep Look

Nudibranchs may look cute, squishy and defenseless ... but watch out. These brightly-colored sea slugs aren't above stealing weapons from their prey.
Explore our VR slug and support us on Patreon! / 20820629
The PBS Digital Studios annual survey is now closed.
SUBSCRIBE to Deep Look! goo.gl/8NwXqt
DEEP LOOK is a ultra-HD (4K) short video series created by KQED San Francisco and presented by PBS Digital Studios. See the unseen at the very edge of our visible world. Explore big scientific mysteries by going incredibly small.
The summer months bring low morning tides along the California coast, providing an opportunity to see one of the state’s most unusual inhabitants, sea slugs.
Also called nudibranchs, many of these relatives of snails are brightly colored and stand out among the seaweed and anemones living next to them in tidepools.
“Some of them are bright red, blue, yellow -- you name it,” said Terry Gosliner, senior curator of invertebrate zoology and geology at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. “They're kind of designer slugs.”
But without a protective shell, big jaws or sharp claws, how do these squishy little creatures get away with such flamboyant colors in a habitat full of predators?
As it turns out, the nudibranchs’ colors serve as a warning to predators: These sea slugs are packing some very sophisticated defenses. And some aren’t above stealing weapons from their prey.
Gosliner and Brenna Green and Emily Otstott, graduate students at San Francisco State University, were out at dawn earlier this summer searching tidepools and floating docks around the Bay Area. They want to learn more about how these delicate little sea slugs survive and how changing ocean temperatures might threaten their futures.
Nudibranchs come in a staggering variety of shapes and sizes. Many accumulate toxic or bad-tasting chemicals from their prey, causing predators like fish and crabs to learn that the flashy colors mean the nudibranch wouldn’t make a good meal.
--- What are nudibranchs?
Nudibranchs are snails that lost their shell over evolutionary time. Since they don’t have a shell for protection, they have to use other ways to defend themselves like accumulating toxic chemicals in their flesh to make them taste bad to predators. Some species of nudibranchs eat relatives of jellyfish and accumulate the stingers within their bodies for defense.
--- Why do nudibranchs have such bright colors?
The bright colors serve as a signal to the nudibranch’s predators that they are not good to eat. If a fish or crab bites a nudibranch, it learns to associate the bad taste with the bright colors which tends to make them reluctant to bite a nudibranch with those colors in the future.
--- What does nudibranch mean?
The word nudibranch comes from Latin. It means naked gills. They got that name because some species of nudibranchs have an exposed ring of gills on their back that they use to breath.
---+ Read the entire article on KQED Science:
www.kqed.org/s...
---+ For more information:
Learn more about Terry Gosliner’s work with nudibranchs
www.calacademy...
Learn more about Chris Lowe’s work with plankton
lowe.stanford.edu/
Learn more about Jessica Goodheart’s study of nematocyst sequestration
onlinelibrary....
---+ More Great Deep Look episodes:
From Drifter to Dynamo: The Story of Plankton | Deep Look
• From Drifter to Dynamo...
For Pacific Mole Crabs It's Dig or Die | Deep Look
• For Pacific Mole Crabs...
---+ See some great videos and documentaries from PBS Digital Studios!
Why Are Hurricanes Getting Stronger? | Hot Mess
• Is Climate Change Supe...
When Fish Wore Armor | Eons
• When Fish Wore Armor
Why Do We Wash Our Hands After Going to the Bathroom? | Origin of Everything
• Why Do We Wash Our Han...
---+ Follow KQED Science and Deep Look:
Instagram: / kqedscience
Twitter: / kqedscience
KQED Science on kqed.org: www.kqed.org/sc...
Facebook Watch: / deeplookpbs
Patreon: / deeplook
---+ About KQED
KQED, an NPR and PBS affiliate in San Francisco, CA, serves Northern California and beyond with a public-supported alternative to commercial TV, Radio and web media.
Funding for Deep Look is provided in part by PBS Digital Studios. Deep Look is a project of KQED Science, which is supported by the Templeton Religion Trust and the Templeton World Charity Foundation, the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, the Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation, the Vadasz Family Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Fuhs Family Foundation Fund and the members of KQED.
#deeplook #nudibranch #seaslug

[@leosanerd]

They are thieves because they stole my heart

[@m3b02]

I thought Whizzer was the one who stole your heart

[@kemargordon5703]

And soon your life😅🙌🏾

[@stanczyka2407]

*The Phantom Thieves!*

[@alofii6106]

And you stole the Deep Look’s heart.

[@mornin7134]

Kemar Gordon .

[@HighFOurce420]

2:26
Slug- "mehehe let me tell you about my evil scheme peasant"
*twirls mustache*

[@AriBunch]

MWHEHEH

[@leichelle6648]

0:33 it has cute tiny eyes and its blushingg

[@NoReplyAsset]

it's a moomin

[@guilhermequinol2334]

d-dont look senpai!

[@VnessieRose]

It's name will be squishy and squishy will be mine-

[@987inuyasha]

UwU

[@ellatalan5516]

OWO

[@failed_K]

“They’re like Snails without the shell”
Land Slug: am I a joke to you??

[@kamerad_marzuki3631]

lol, land gastropods are gross. aquatic gastropods way better

[@BubbleStarYT]

No

[@ishigami4622]

YellowKamerad since their cleaner

[@moonjelly454]

#justiceforlandslugs

[@user-od6ue9zv9u]

#justiceforlandslugs

[@melonetta]

Wow they even have a devious little mustache. If they had fingers they would be twirling them.

[@polarties6637]

lol

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Snidely Whiplash for sure

[@melonetta]

@@KQEDDeepLook Love this channel 😁

[@vbgvbg1133]

They need a Tophat!

[@sarahpursley719]

Maybe even have a French accent. :P

[@foxyloxyBABE]

Doctor: "According to your friends, you were seen hugging... sea slugs?"
Me: *lying in bed paralyzed* totally worth it.

[@user-cc1sc2sh6m]

First reply after 1 year

[@SSS20025]

Second reply after 1.02 years...

[@chrono-glitchwaterlily8776]

Third reply overall

[@seyifunmiadeola8543]

Lol I'm fourth

[@augustus0803]

Im fifth and im not proud of it :(

[@ak-125]

This channel has rekindled my love for animals I had as a child, and all I gotta say is thank you.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

This comment makes our day! You are welcome. We love making these episodes and want to make even more.

[@iyandiaghie]

100% relatable. My first animal documentary is a show called eyewitness and deep look always able to gave me back my nostalgic childish curiousity. Love you, deep look.

[@jessepadilla5919]

Not saying i lost my love for animals, Deep Look took it to the next level! 11/10!

[@Sunflowers425]

General Grevious same

[@kristolledo4568]

So if i eat a jellyfish
I can poop out bombs that explode
Nice

[@ndJssFlurt]

No.

[@AntonioM8]

@@ndJssFlurt take a joke

[@ndJssFlurt]

@@AntonioM8
Take what joke? Where is it??? What does it look like and how much does it cost?????

[@AntonioM8]

@@ndJssFlurt you're the joke.

[@ndJssFlurt]

@@AntonioM8
Am I funny???

[@DjCleric]

My very first Deep Look video was the one about mosquitoes having 6 stingers in their mouth. And it was at that moment, I KNEW this channel will NEVER disappoint their audience as the quality of their content has always been something that Animal Planet, National Geography, Discovery Channel or any other worldwide wildlife documentary channel could not achieve.
From the videography to the animal of subject, Deep Look has never once failed to fascinate me!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@SaitdarkAsexual]

Those channel could achieve if they make short vids like Deep Look's.

[@trash1614]

I didn't know mosquitoes had mouth stingers?

[@imarock.7662]

Never disappoint huh?
You obviously haven't heard the commentary from their black widow video.

[@DjCleric]

What's so disappointing about the commentary? Could you be more specific in your disappointment? I'm sure Deep Look would be eager to know.
The commentary for their black widow spider seems alright with me.

[@imarock.7662]

Nex Cyanic So you didn't catch the sexist undertones that the narrator was saying about males?

[@meatclown9909]

I can't they're too cute and like that purple one with a green like sea anemone on it's back is all out there like my heart has been blessed with these cute diva bbys

[@kristaj428]

Never thought id think a slug was cute until today.

[@jacobmorales1283]

Yes that is true

[@nickfifteen]

Come to Santa Cruz, there's tons of cute little slugs here!

[@lemmythebulldog8812]

I always thought they were cute even the land ones, because of how innocent they are. Never judge a book by its cover

[@candelagrossi5515]

"they're soft and squishy!"
Me: *_s q u i s h_*

[@Darfaultner]

Also you: P a r a l y s e d

[@keatonpgaming4398]

No squish
Only cuddles

[@jesterlover6548]

CQ. Cumber meme

[@AchmadBadra]

@@Darfaultner no, i got new power, *paralyze back to slug*

[@glasheaknight1677]

@@Darfaultner they can't paralyze you if they don't have them to begin with. Saltwater sea slug tank with algae and leaf sheep.

[@toastbot9496]

This slug just stole my heart, definitely a thief!

[@daisymay6505]

Mine too 😆

[@feather_cloud7764]

ikr they so ADORABLE AAA

[@wesleykj]

THIS IS THE STUFF WE NEED

[@pinkkirby8732]

Well these slugs should work for the phantom theafs

[@GrumbleGombol]

"Called sea slugs...they are basically snails without the protective shell."
...So they are slugs?

[@youtubeaccount1242]

"Sea" slugs

[@awesomegamerjameson6789]

Yep! there slugs

[@I_Dont_Believe_In_Salad]

Slugs is just snails without shells.
so yes Sea Slugs are in fact sea snails without shells.

[@GrumbleGombol]

@@I_Dont_Believe_In_Salad Slugs and snails are completely different. But okay.

[@I_Dont_Believe_In_Salad]

@@GrumbleGombol Your mother is Different.
But go off if you think Slugs and Snails are Different.

[@akari_reipog]

Am i the only one who want to touch a slug? Looks so squishy

[@saerudayo]

TRASH look up the black sea slug, that thing could be a makeshift dumbbell

[@PugilistCactus]

It would leave a burning sensation I think.

[@marche800]

Not unless you want to get stung by Tony harpoons.

[@feather_cloud7764]

SAME

[@daliacapellan]

Yeah, I wouldn't go around doing that

[@Greywander87]

"The thieves... the thieves! They stole it from us! Nasty, tricksy little nudibranches!"
"What did they steal?"
"...My nematocysts! Gaaaaaaaaaagh!"

[@fishfreak145]

I love you

[@michaelwomack3293]

I see what you did there... nice 👍

[@CkSCRM]

If I were to judge between 'Deep look' and 'Animal planet'
Deep look is the winner!!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Wow! We appreciate the kind words.

[@devins7457]

Honestly, no reason to pay for cable.

[@PugilistCactus]

Deep look is like animal planet before it was bought out by the same dweebs that own TLC and History.

[@vicentamichel6586]

H NJ n aww u

[@humo5050]

@Jazz
Animal Planets's, The Most.......Extreeme!

[@tonightsbiggestloser6571]

This channel has a whole playlist called "Untrustworthy Invertebrates"
*God I love Deep Look*

[@prasleybustommy8011]

0:32 the cutest thing i have never seen before.

[@norhamimiyusof9546]

Its called Elysia Chlorotica or Eastern Emerald Elysia. They possess the ability to create their own food by semi ingesting algae in a symbiotic ability called kleptoplasty

[@strawblemonanime4723]

Norhamimi Yusof dumbing it down they can use photosynthesis

[@Finnifenn]

@@norhamimiyusof9546 actually, that was a costasiella kuroshimae, they basically do the same thing though

[@ladytron0591]

@@norhamimiyusof9546 wrong lol

[@marknavarro7497]

That was a battlepass skin during season 1 it's very rare to have

[@user-gp7ko7yt3t]

“They seem to have a taste for SPICY food!”

[@wither5673]

hydroids: the forbidden spicy hot Cheetos lol

[@danishkhandk31]

Tum logo ki wajah se hi corona hua hai saalooo haramiii

[@user-gp7ko7yt3t]

@@danishkhandk31 true

[@ahidabegm4167]

C

[@maniac_onna]

They are asains lol

[@liquidflesh2127]

My friend borrowed my stuff, he never returned it, he called it providing a helping hand. What floats your boat I guess.

[@ndJssFlurt]

It's "Whatever floats your boat". Wake up.

[@daisymay6505]

Chill dude that was probably autocorrect

[@ndJssFlurt]

@@daisymay6505
But he/she said a saying-thingy that everyone knows incorrectly.
He/she MUST be punished!!!!

[@daisymay6505]

0_o

[@skittlemilks1614]

The law calls it stealing

[@nightmareandfriends6258]

2:26 it has a mustache adorable

[@NewMessage]

Sadly, most of these guys just decimate a reef tank, so they aren't good additions to the tank.. but there are herbivorous ones, like 'lettuce slugs', who are gorgeous, and help clean the tank!

[@uplunar]

New Message yea recently found out about vayssierea felis they kind of look like a nudi and flatworm mix but all they do is eat sporiond worms

[@dima5467]

I was thinking about that, I would love having that pink one or the one that looked like it was glowing blue.

[@ii-uc8yd]

Ima like bc of your name and your profile picture 😂😂😂😂

[@thekagawalife2081]

New Message I want one of those. Id name it Retasu.

[@addie1323]

Dude I see u like everywhere

[@marianguyen5179]

0:42 It's looks like an angry onion

[@tomorrowisyesterday3215]

3:38 Lauren is a slug now..

[@recommendit908]

Who's here during the quarantine?

[@trimnpro3195]

First reply after 4 months

[@recommendit908]

@Yowatsapp 05 Quarantine changed everything hey

[@zxck876]

me

[@quarter__doux9843]

Wait a sec this was 7 months ago and I remember no quarantine-
Edit: ok so this is 6 months old- **W H E E Z E**

[@soupgloop7175]

It’s been that long?

[@djb903]

These guys are the perfect analogy for bullies, no healthy defense against being hurt so they take things meant to hurt them and amplify it and project it onto others.. DEEP indeed

[@marche800]

Yeah except these slugs are immune to the things that are supposed to hurt them, unlike real bullies who just pretend to be immune to it.

[@linnen_elm]

Y'all are too deep, i might find an oil rig and become rich

[@river737]

@@linnen_elm 👌😂 I gotchu with a alternative altering method of that oil to make it more environment friendly 💰 💰 💰

[@goliaboi]

horrible analogy

[@river737]

Kinda, except they don't hurt the slug

[@ebonysquib9503]

Thanos: *snaps*
Nudibranch: yall hear smn

[@uss_04]

Aah, its a walking piece of Sushi!

[@moonrunic3548]

Don't you dare eat it >:(

[@duckbecausewhynot2022]

@@moonrunic3548 *eats*

[@amieibias9764]

Hahaha sushi

[@motosaki]

No

[@ahmadhouri6380]

@@motosaki yes

[@ethen5943]

"If your not satisfied with yourself just take it from others" And that's how Kabuto became who he is

[@zezekingyo2374]

*That's a wild Pyukumuku.*

[@marche800]

Close, Pyukumuku is a Sea Cucumber not a slug.

[@de4d.f1sh]

Marche You made an 8-Ball fall- test failed.
*gets blown up*

[@antiantim5541]

@@zezekingyo2374 gastrodon looks more like the ones in the video for obvious reasom

[@zezekingyo2374]

@@antiantim5541 same goes with Pyukumuku.

[@antiantim5541]

@@zezekingyo2374 I said gastrodon looks MORE like the one in the video

[@maritubes78]

Nature is such an amazing joy to watch and learn about. Thank you!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks María !

[@user-ix7iu4wf8o]

deep love for deep look. (can i get a deep heart?)

[@TheDogsbarkcatsmeow]

D no love deep heart

[@jeremybong7238]

Awww you got one!

[@AzrieltheAngel]

Need money for deep throat..

[@doodledangernoodle2517]

2:13 Why does the nudibranch look like it has soft-serve ice cream cones on its head? 😂

[@marknavarro7497]

Limited edition skin

[@blueham8230]

>Fish pecks slug
U wot m8?
>Shots poison missiles out of it's back
>Fish dies

[@savannahlevy97]

y...yep. that's uh... that's pretty much how it goes.

[@feather_cloud7764]

lol

[@SonicBoone56]

I wanna cry my eyes out over how cute these are.

[@favoinousscum3718]

SAMEEEEEE

[@puppyseung4014]

0:33 IT’S SO CUTE

[@Khotgor]

When I think of animals that are absolutely beautiful to look at, Sea Slugs are the first thing to pop in mind. They are always amazing to look at.

[@cryptonicgamer227]

Deep Look: "If you're not born with certain assets, it doesn't hurt to borrow."
Me: Deku storyline confirmed

[@chiquitin_o]

"They're basically snails, but without the protective shells"
So slugs? But underwater? Sea slugs?

[@jefuroda4246]

Deep look is the best show for animal info hands down.....may I please have a HEART???

[@kalsyphr5039]

Nudibranch not pronounced as branch but spelled exactly the same...
*_thanks english_*

[@pipboy-sv8vn]

I really wonder what type of animals are used to exist millions of years ago that we may never know

[@Slayer119988]

pipboy 4000 some seriously weird and wonderful things, considering how amazing some existing animals like these guys are!

[@potatohero3427]

Me

[@jessicahorne5714]

Big chungus lived millions of years ago.

[@unevennoble9363]

Btw, I saw a bunch of snails the other day, and learned 2 things: 1, a single snail can carry another snails of the same size, 2, they don't give a crap about falling or going underwater.

[@giddy7079]

LAUREN

[@artsyfox7865]

What's your favorite food?
Sweet
Sour
Salty
Hot
>Pain

[@liquidflesh2127]

Reminds me of my classmates, what they eat is what they use to make the room smell bad.

[@rezafw_7109]

durian? :v

[@mythbustersroblox7958]

It haves spikes

[@keidennleigh1349]

@@cinnabarite Nooooo

[@haneefahmoore6440]

🤣🤣😂😂

[@Sunshine-yr3ut]

I’m so happy you’re back! Also these sea slugs are absolutely adorable and that has to be a scientific fact!

[@lotadlover12]

Send nudibranchs... wait no

[@jonth9200]

They Are Coming For You.........

[@alfred929]

This confirms nature is so amazing.

[@camilomarin96]

PBS: "if you're not born with certain asset, it does get hurt to borrow"
Orochimaro:

[@Ipang69]

Amazing sea slug clips. This is what you are looking for when you go diving, this slug is so small that you need experience, patient and a pair of sharp eyes to find it in the ocean and when you found it, its like finding a treasure.

[@awsomekiller3159]

Lauren I missed you so much my most favourite narrator

[@ManuelPinner]

Cute and Smart Little Guys, I Love the Way They Look,

[@saerudayo]

amazing the variety of colors in sea slugs. even the sizes like the Black Sea slug. these things must’ve been around forever

[@user-zoook9999]

Yep beautiful but dangerous

[@kh1llua]

they’re just so beautiful...

[@candis1833]

Imma just need to borrow this for the rest of my life thanks *never comes Back*

[@emerald_starsgaming7141]

They has mustache?!! :O can i get a pet slug and squish it with love forever.

[@bigcuh5046]

This was very interesting! (Never knew I would be interested in a sea slugs digestive system) this is amazing thanks for this video 😉

[@KuonilerariLoufanwald]

These sea slugs are like snails without a shell.
If only we had a word for that...

[@marxtheenigma873]

0:26 it's like someone constantly blowing its hair out of its face.

[@ayoishipuppy6247]

3:02 look! The sea slug is so evil, it has a mustache!

[@gastropoda_girl]

Thanks for interesting facts about this amazing creatures 👍😍❤

[@David-ey9jg]

Probably the most beautiful creatures on the planet.

[@Futurebound_jpg]

They are just so beyond gorgeous! Soooo unique and cool looking! I’m absolutely obsessed

[@theblackhole05]

Why do sea creatures look so amazing

[@beefjerky4127]

When you said "sea slug" I paused and remembered that that's my favorite type of creature.

[@alexmihai6617]

Just lovely the way she narrated. A breath of fresh air

[@thatweirdartist9852]

THEY’RE SO ADORABLE I JUST WANNA SQUISH EM AAAAAAH

[@haiangvuthai3615]

hand: "im dead"

[@Ywonova]

I smiled when she said the sea slug had a taste for spicy food

[@garymiller3403]

Your voice and narration is so mesmerising. Kinda cute and cuddly.

[@daisymay6505]

I like it too

[@yapigokia2536]

i really like lauren's voice its satisfing and makes the video more complete

[@MonkeyBunnyShop]

wow DE really out did them selves with this Hydroid Prime trailer 01:00

[@J8DENTHECANADIAN]

Lol

[@Yzzami]

This could have been an alolan form gastrodon

[@CrazyMuffin997]

Someone remind me why we're looking for aliens when we have these cute alien looking thing under the sea o.o

[@RinaLottie1994]

Adorable sneaky little thief? We'll see how adorable we all think he is when he's sneaking off with our WALLETS!!!

[@gothiclita]

THESE SNAILS ARE SO PRETTY!!!!!!! 😍😍😍

[@鄧玮恩]

2:14 aww it has a mustache and candy corn antenna

[@judyalbarazi3224]

Their mouth is so cute 😂😂

[@maxi_pop7624]

I have a big fear for terrestrial slugs and worm like creatures, but marine slugs are so so cute, I love them!

[@Sinnamonie]

“They’re basically snails but without the protective shells” so you mean... slugs?

[@ae.lorenz076]

Title: Snail plays minecraft for a living, not hired by twitch

[@eel7818]

Sea slugs battle royale:
Loot weapons and fight each other.

[@cupcakkerares]

Hey I love you

[@Skylord116]

It’s a crime for them to look this cute

[@smooth_Koala]

Ok so I've been pronouncing "nudabranch" wrong the WHOLE time. I used to say "noo-dah-BRANCH" BUT today i realize it's "noo-dah-BRANK"

[@VergeOf1nsanity]

The presentation of these videos are most underrated. She is excellent.

[@hughjazz4736]

Omg so pretty i wanna pet it
"Because their colors are actally a warning"
Um ok

[@pumpkxnz_11]

I want a cute creature as a pet
meanwhile sea slugs: *the cutest but are dangerous*

[@sziken9863]

Deep look

[@jingwen8133]

I just love how Lauren explain all these things

[@hellxgodlikeX]

Why TH-cam recommends me this during the exams of biology?
To make to confuse with names and there u get low marks

[@gurenguren754]

Someone: *points knife at sea slug*
Sea slug: *steals knife*

[@franfran5155]

I had no volume on so basically I watched cute slugs for four minutes.

[@gonerkid709]

0:34 OMG IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S BLUSHING

[@jappydays1476]

I wish my teacher talked like this , her voice is so engaging

[@doreandonovan2677]

It just stole my heart

[@TM-rl1ns]

Imagine these being in Spongebob Squarepants.

[@sodalunch1949]

They did, in an abysmal episode.

[@kubli365]

What a merry bunch of high-fashion individuals

[@casualIegume]

Nice video keep up the good work also #notifocationsquad

[@CkSCRM]

#NotificationSquad

[@R.Oates7902]

They are brightly colored. I like the bright yellow!
🐌