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Q: I photographed these creatures swimming around the lights on my dock. I have no idea what they are, but they look like they are from outer space. What are they? -- Jim Manyak, Naples, Florida
A: Jim, the "mystery critters" you photographed are sea hares; the species that you observed is Aplysia brasiliana. Many species of sea hares spend most or all of their adult lives as bottom dwellers, but A. brasiliana is one that swims. Sea hares are gastropod mollusks (snails) that have reduced or missing internal shells rather than external shells like their more common cousins. The bump on the back of a sea hare houses what remains of its shell (which may be entirely absent) and mantle cavity, while the "wings" on its sides, called parapodia, are lateral projections of its foot that allow it to swim. Most sea hares, including A. brasiliana, will eject a purple "ink" when disturbed. -- Ray Waldner
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