Sea Slugs That Steal Their Weapons

Nudibranchs are shell-less sea slugs that protect themselves by eating venomous creatures. They store these toxins in their own bodies to use as a chemical defense against predators.

These colorful mollusks undergo a radical transformation by shedding their shells shortly after their larval stage. Instead of hiding in a shell, they hunt stinging jellyfish and anemones to consume their toxic cells. They then recycle these poisons to make themselves taste terrible or even deadly to hungry fish. Their vibrant patterns actually serve as a warning to potential predators that they are dangerous to eat.