Critter Intros: Sea Bunny

• Common Name: Sea Bunny

• Scientific Name: Jorunna parva

• Conservation Status: Not Evaluated (Population appears stable across its range)

• Habitat: Coastal marine waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean, typically on or near the seafloor in tropical and temperate regions, including Japan, the Philippines, and Australia.

• Size: Very small, typically less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in length.

The sea bunny is actually a species of nudibranch (a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc), a type of sea slug, that became an internet sensation due to its resemblance to a fluffy rabbit. The "bunny ears" are actually sensory organs called rhinophores, which help it detect chemical scents in the water to find food and mates. The furry-looking coat is composed of tiny rods called caryophyllidia, which also serve a sensory function. Like many nudibranchs, the sea bunny is hermaphroditic (possessing both male and female reproductive organs). It primarily feeds on toxic sponges, absorbing and storing the toxins in its body as a defense mechanism, making it highly unappetizing—and potentially toxic—to predators. With a lifespan of only a few months to a year, this tiny, toxic marvel is a fascinating resident of the coral reefs and ocean floor.

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