Nature Field Guide
Diomedea Leaf Sea Slug
- Spanish name
- Babosa marina de hoja
- Scientific name
- Elysia diomedea
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Pico spots a leafy-looking shape. Tati asks how an animal can blend into the algae around it.
Species overview
About the Diomedea Leaf Sea Slug
Elysia diomedea is a small marine gastropod with folded, leaf-like sides and a greenish appearance. It belongs to the sacoglossan sea slugs. Published ACG observations describe it in shallow pools and marine substrates where algae are present. Its ruffled outline can make a careful photograph more useful than a quick guess.
Identification
Key Features of the Diomedea Leaf Sea Slug
A small soft body with folded sides
Greenish coloring with contrasting lines
Tentacle-like rhinophores on the head
Habitat & range
Suitable underwater coastal habitat. Use a permitted guided snorkeling or viewing activity appropriate to your family; do not enter the sea just to find this animal.
Local observations
Documented in Guanacaste. Australian Museum identification confirms a record at Playa Blanca, Punta Leona. Region tags represent documented locations, not an exhaustive range or a promise of occurrence at every beach. Additional regional assignments require locality evidence.
When to observe
Visibility depends on the site, conditions and the animal. Ask a local guide about an appropriate visit; no fixed encounter season is promised.
Conservation & care
Watch without touching, lifting, feeding or collecting. Keep fingers and equipment away from spines and other surface structures. Leave the animal submerged and its habitat undisturbed.
Observation activity
Draw the outline of a leaf and the outline of this slug from a reference photograph. Compare the folds without assuming they are the same kind of living thing.