Sea Bunny

Overview

Jorunna parva, widely known as the sea bunny, is a tiny shell-less marine gastropod mollusc belonging to the nudibranch family Discodorididae. First described by Japanese malacologist Kikutaro Baba, this charismatic sea slug gained widespread popularity online due to its striking resemblance to a fluffy rabbit. It inhabits tropical marine waters across the Indo-Pacific region.

Appearance

The distinctive rabbit-like look of the sea bunny comes from its sensory rhinophores, which resemble fluffy ears, and a body surface covered in tiny fleshy protuberances called papillae that create a fur-like texture. These animals appear in multiple color morphs, including white, yellow, and occasionally green, often dotted with tiny black tips that enhance their speckled appearance. A tuft of feathery gills sits near the rear of the body for breathing.

Biology & behavior

Like other dorid nudibranchs, the sea bunny navigates its marine environment using its rhinophores to detect chemical cues in the water for finding food and potential mates. The papillae covering its body also serve sensory functions. While variations in color occur across different regions, researchers continue to study whether these color morphs represent distinct species or simple regional variations.