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Diver’s Dream: Capturing the Adorable Sea Creature

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Quick Smiles:

  • Yusuke Fukami fulfills his dream to photograph the charming Costasiella sea slug.
  • The vibrant sea slug was discovered only 30 years ago off a Japanese island.
  • These tiny creatures, also known as ‘leaf sheep,’ are unique in their ability to photosynthesize.

For Japanese scuba diver Yusuke Fukami, a long-held dream has come true. His journey led him to capture the enchanting Costasiella sea slug on camera while exploring the underwater wonders of Bali.

Yusuke’s adventure took him to Tulamben, a quaint fishing village nestled on Bali’s north-east coast.

“Meeting this creature was why we visited Tulamben, so when we finally found one, I was really delighted to have achieved my purpose,” he shared.

Originating from Kanagawa, a coastal city in Japan, Yusuke embarked on his December trip with the hope of encountering the pink-tipped sea slugs. These captivating creatures are native to the tropical waters of Southeast Asia.

His decision to stay at a local diving resort proved fruitful.

“It was so cute that I was like ‘Ahhhhhhhh it’s cuuuuuuute’ when I was taking photos of it in the sea,” he exclaimed with delight.

The Costasiella kuroshimae, a shell-less mollusk, was first discovered a mere 30 years ago near a Japanese island.

This unique sea slug boasts two dark eyes and two sensory organs known as ‘rhinophores’ that resemble sheep’s ears, earning it the nickname ‘leaf sheep.’

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These diminutive slugs measure only about 1⁄4 to 3⁄8 inch in length (5-10 mm) and have a special dietary habit. They feed on algae, allowing them to perform photosynthesis indirectly, akin to plants.

This remarkable ability makes them one of the few animals capable of deriving energy in such a way.

So, next time you find yourself captivated by the wonders of the ocean, remember the charming ‘leaf sheep’ and share this joy with your friends.

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