The California sea hare is a unique looking animal. Often described as a reddish-brown blob. This blob however is a very unique animal. The sea hare is actually a sea slug and it gets its name for the protrusions from its head that looks like rabbit or hare ears. They actually have two pairs of these "ears". One pair is on the top of the head and are used for smelling. The other pair just under the mouth is used for motion.

The sea hare is a herbivore that eats different algae, and the color of the algae actually changes the color of the sea hare. The younger sea hares prefer red algae in deeper water, but as they get older their tastes change to brown or green algae. They can be for in sheltered waters along the coast of California or its islands. They prefer where the vegetation is thicker. The adults prefer the more shallow water and the younger sea hares prefer depths up to 60 ft. These animals are actually very important to research because they have very large neurons (the largest in the animal kingdom) and very few neurons. So researchers use them study how the neurons work. They also can't see like we do, their eyes can only tell light from dark.

Come diving with us for a chance to see one of these amazing sea slugs. 

** photo credit Paul Davidson and Maxwell Bracey