versatility is well known , but I have also noticed they multitask in another way , continuing to munch away on a seaweed meal while in the middle of mating !
Being hermaphrodites means that every sea hare can produce eggs . These are laid in distinctive orange or pink spaghetti-like strings , stuck to seaweed or across several blades of seagrass , a habitat where they are often found . An egg string can contain over 100,000 eggs that hatch into swimming larvae after about three weeks .
Groups of feeding and mating sea hares are a common sight in shallow water in the spring and early summer . Here , they may be the focus of foraging behaviour by painted gobies ( Pomatoschistus pictus ). These small fish hang out in ‘ gangs ’ and dart round invertebrates such as sea slugs and hermit crabs , apparently searching for pieces of food that are disturbed by the animals ’ movements , or released as they are being harassed .
I was recently filming a pair of sea hares when a more extreme example of this provocation occurred . A goby swam up and took a very deliberate bite at one of the sea hares ’ head tentacles (‘ ears ’). The sea hare recoiled in what looked like extreme discomfort ; even ‘ dark horses ’ get bullied . �
Close-up of a sea hare egg-string showing the multitude of tiny individual eggs
Mating sea hares and their egg-strings , with foraging gobies in attendance
Paul ’ s photos and video clips capturing UK marine life stories are on Instagram @ paulnaylormarinephoto
Not for you , small fry ! Three mating sea hares and a small one missing out
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