Photo source: Lynn Wu
Costasiella kuroshimae (also referred to as “leaf sheep” and “Shaun the sheep”) is a species of sacoglossan sea slug whose beady eyes and flat face make it look like an adorable cartoon sheep. Add some droopy feelers and a phosphorescent, leaf-like body, and this little darling may just be the loveliest slug in the ocean!
Costasiella kuroshimae, which can grow up to 5 millimeters in length, can be found near Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. They graze on green algae, and use the chloroplasts from their food to manufacture their own energy in a process called kleptoplasty. One of the only non-plant organisms in the world that can perform photosynthesis, leaf sheep can survive up to a few months on the energy produced from kleptoplasty.
The Costasiella kuroshimae (aka Leaf Sheep) is a type of sea slug that looks exactly like a cartoon sheep.
Photo source: Randi Ang
Photo source: Johnny Chiu
Photo source: Ludovic
Photo source: Lynn Wu
Photo source: Tanakit YamMo Suwanyangyaun
Photo source: Vania Kam
Photo source: Jim Lynn
Photo source: Randi Ang
Photo source: Jim Lynn
Original Article published here
