Funny creatures – Elysia Chlorotica

This small sea snail that looks like a leaf can remain without food for nine months because it can photosynthesize, just like a plant when lying in the sun.

The snail is called Elysia Chlorotica and grows just five centimeters long. The species lives in shallow waters along the east coast of North America and their diet consists of filamentous algae.

Elysia Chlorotica are also hermaphrodites. If they are sexually mature, each animal produces both sperm and eggs at the same time. However, self-fertilization is not common in this species. After fertilizing the eggs within the snail, the Elysia Chlorotica lays their fertilized eggs in long strands.

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