By Filipa Gaspar
A young rock-pooler discovered a rare ‘alien-like‘ winged creature washed up on a UK beach.
Charley Taviner, five, was following a crab when he found what he thought was a huge lump of seaweed.
But it turned out to be Aplysia depilans – or the ‘Mediterranean sea hare’ – a species rarely seen in the UK.
The sea hare, which secretes ‘toxins’, is usually only found in the Mediterranean and East Atlantic.
The Marine Biological Association said warmer waters, and increased storms, are likely the reason the sea hare appeared on UK shores.
Charley found the sea hare on Mount Batten Beach, Plymouth, Devon.
He was out with The Rock Pool Project’s monthly ‘BioBlitz Battle’, organised by the Marine Biological Association.
Dad Chris Taviner, said: “For what I initially thought was seaweed, this has taken a surprising turn!
“If it wasn’t for my son Charley chasing after a large crab, we wouldn’t have found it.”
Aquarium and Research Facilities Technician at the Marine Biological Association, Joe Feasey-Kemp, says the animal does secrete toxins and dog walkers should be wary if they encounter it.
She said: “I advise always practising good animal control when walking your dog on the beach – as you would anywhere.
“The chances of your dog finding a sea hare are unlikely as they are concealed underwater, under seaweed.
“They do secrete toxins, but the effect on a dog that has licked or bitten a sea hare depends on what else the dog has ingested.
“In the unlikely event that your dog has ingested one of these sea creatures, I would advise the precautionary measure of taking your pet to the vet to be checked over.”
The Marine Biological Association said warmer waters and increased storms are likely the reason the sea hare appeared on UK shores.
A spokesperson for the MBA said: “It is possible that warming waters and increased storms have allowed this species to make itself more at home on our shores.”
The Aplysia depilans, a type of mollusc, can grow to up to 40cm long, weigh up to 380g and are significantly larger than the more common Spotted sea hare.
The MBA add that the species swim by flapping their two large ‘wing-like flaps of tissue’ called parapodia, which make these molluscs surprisingly agile.
The Big Rock Pool Challenge has identified and recorded over 255 various species at Mount Batten since its launch in October 2024.
Loretta Kwok, South West Lead of the challenge, said: “These findings highlight just how rich and dynamic our coastal ecosystems are, and how much there is still to discover right on our doorstep.”
“It’s still too early to draw conclusions from this single discovery, but one thing is certain – that our local rock pools and coastal habitats are incredibly diverse.”
