Tortoiseshell sea slug (Pleurobranchus testudinarius)

Tortoiseshell sea slug

Distribution : Mediterranean · Atlantic Ocean

Marine region

Tortoiseshell sea slug egg masses can be easier to find than the animals that laid them. Repeated observations on Sicily’s east coast found the ribbons in summer, while adults appeared mainly on night dives. Fireworms were also seen eating the eggs.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

Relief dominates the appearance of the turtle side-gill slug (Pleurobranchus testudinarius). On the thick back, small many-sided areas carry rounded to conical bumps and form an irregular pattern.

Orange, brown and violet combine with sometimes darker areas. The body retains a fleshy, flexible appearance beneath this rough-looking surface.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It occurs on different seabed types, particularly sandy or rocky ones and seagrass beds. It generally lives between a few metres and several dozen metres deep, often resting on the bottom.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

Colonial sea squirts provide most of the turtle snail’s meals, taken from the surface where they live. Other components have been identified in its digestive system: sponges, bivalves and algal fragments.

GO FURTHER WITH AMIGANSEAU

Unlock the full profile

Deepen your knowledge with the exclusive chapters and interactive resources included in an AMIGANSEAU licence.

Choose my licence

HOW DOES IT REPRODUCE?
OUR OBSERVATIONS
ARTICLE

Also included in the full profile

Advanced navigation between description, ecological context, observations and behaviour
Interactive food chain to explore the species’ feeding relationships
Infographic and illustrated summary profile

An active licence gives access to enriched profiles and AMIGANSEAU exploration tools.