Sea Hare
Aplysia sp.
Markings and exact colorations may vary.
A soft, blobby sea slug with ear-like head flaps, often stranded in warm shallow water.
- Typical size
- 4–12 in
- How often it turns up
- Common in some years, absent in others
- Collecting
- Protected, do not collect
- Handling
- May be alive
Do not collect living sea hares. Photograph them and let them be.
Leave sea hares in the water. Their purple ink stains skin and clothing but is not dangerous.
How to tell it apart
- Soft, shell-less body up to a foot long
- Two ear-like tentacles on the head
- Wing-like flaps along the sides
Where to find these in Florida
Beaches rated very good or excellent for tidepool life. Each page shows today’s score, the best window and access details.
- Bathtub Reef Beach · Stuart
- Anne's Beach · Islamorada
- Bahia Honda State Park · Big Pine Key
- Bathtub Beach · Stuart
- Caspersen Beach · Venice
- Curry Hammock State Park · Marathon
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park · Key West
- Harry Harris Park · Tavernier
- Higgs Beach · Key West
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park · Key Largo
- Long Key State Park · Long Key
- Marineland Beach · Marineland
Found one?
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More tidepool life in the field guide
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