2. Discover the Sea
Bunny: Jorunna parva
Get ready to dive with us into the marine
world and explore the adorable Jorunna
parva, a species of dorid nudibranch known
as the Sea Bunny.
3. Table of contents
Classification……………………………………………………..............1
Why does is it called sea bunny ?.....................................2
The Sea Bunny's Habitat……………………………………………..3
The Movement of the Sea
Bunny……………………………......4
What Causes the Sea Bunny's Colorful Patterns?.............5
The Nutrition of the Sea Bunny …………………………….....6
Reproduction and live cycle:………………………………………….7
Conclusions……………………………………………………………………8
Sources and References…………………………………………………9
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5. 3
Why does is it called sea bunny ?
Even though its completely unrelated to actual bunnies on land, sea bunny is a
slug named for its appearance.
the ear like appendages (Rhinophores) are actually caryophyllidia, a collection of
small tubes that may carry out a sensory function like finding food or other sea
slugs.
6. 3
The Sea Bunny's Habitat
1 Coral Reefs
The Sea Bunny can be found in coral reefs
in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, Japan, and the
Philippines.
3 Rocky Shores
The Sea Bunny also inhabits rocky shores
and intertidal areas with algae and
eelgrass.
2 Rocky Reefs
They may also live on rocky reefs, which
provide adequate hiding places and a food
source.
4 Underwater Caves
The Sea Bunny can also be found in
underwater caves with sandy bottoms where
they hide from predators.
7. 4
The Movement of the Sea Bunny
Swimming
The Sea Bunny moves through the water by
swimming. It uses its muscular foot to propel itself
forward. With a graceful motion, the Sea Bunny glides
through the ocean, maneuvering with ease.
Crawling
When not swimming, the Sea Bunny can also crawl along
the ocean floor. It uses its foot to push against the surface,
allowing it to move slowly and explore its surroundings.
The Method of Movement
The Sea Bunny has two main methods of movement: swimming and crawling.
Adaptability
The Sea Bunny's unique method of movement allows it to adapt to different habitats and navigate various types of
terrain. Whether it's swimming in open waters or crawling along the seabed, the Sea Bunny demonstrates remarkable
versatility in its locomotion.
8. 5
What Causes the Sea Bunny's Colorful
Patterns?
1 Genetics
The Sea Bunny's colorful patterns are primarily
determined by its genetic makeup. Genes play a crucial
role in determining the distribution and arrangement of
pigments, resulting in the various color patterns
observed.
2 Environmental Factors
Environmental factors, such as the availability of food
and light exposure, can also influence the Sea Bunny's
coloration. Changes in diet or exposure to different light
conditions may affect the intensity or appearance of the
patterns.
3 Camouflage and Communication
The Sea Bunny's patterns may serve as a form of
camouflage, allowing it to blend in with its surroundings
and avoid predators. Additionally, these patterns may
also play a role in communication among Sea Bunnies,
helping them recognize each other and signal
information.
4 It gains color from eating
these sea slugs also absorb the pigments and will change
appearance based on what they eat.
9. The Nutrition of the Sea Bunny
Diet
The Sea Bunny feeds on a variety of
sponges and other animals, including
anthozoans and tunicates.
Defensive
Mechanism
Their diet contains chemicals from sponges they eat,
which contain toxins that they can use for defense
against potential predators.
feeding habits:
Unlike the real rabbits, sea bunnies are carnivores that like to eat on other sea slugs or
sea snails. They also use a special feeding organ (called a radula) to scrape off and eat
food.
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10. Reproduction and live cycle:
Sea Bunnies are hermaphrodites, They mate by both exchanging sperm with one another to fertilize their eggs, external fertilization,
indirect development
A Sea Bunny Lifespan is Short
The average lifespan of a sea bunny slug is only a couple of months to a year. Because of their short lifespan and typically
isolated lifestyle, mating is not guaranteed and must be taken advantage of when the opportunity arises.
Sea Bunnies Start Out Life With a Shell
Taking 3 week to hatching, the free-swimming larva of a sea bunny has a
shell . Eventually, during a process called metamorphosis, it sheds this
protective layer and emerges as the bunny-like sea slug we know. This
transformation is the same for all nudibranchs, whose name aptly means
"naked gills".
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naked gills
11. Conclusions
The Sea Bunny might be small but it certainly stands out with its cute and
colorful appearance. These nudibranchs have unique patterns and can be
found in various habitats, from coral reefs to underwater caves. Not only
are they a delight to watch, but they also possess toxic secretions that
warn predators of their defenses.
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