---
title: "Colorful Slug May Be the Most Adorable Creature on Earth"
description: "This adorable green sea slug has been dubbed the cutest marine creature in the world. More than just a cute face, it demonstrates some pretty remarkable biological properties, including the ability to photosynthesize when needed."
date: "2015-08-10"
modified: "2017-01-24"
authors:
  - name: "Jaime Trosper"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jaimefqtq"
url: "https://futurism.com/colorful-slug-may-be-the-most-adorable-creature-on-earth"
categories:
  - "From Quarks to Quasars"
---

# Colorful Slug May Be the Most Adorable Creature on Earth

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Sea-Sheep-Costasiella-Kuroshimae-sekkun-5.jpg>)

In a creature that looks like it was pulled straight from a Pixar film, a series of new images reveal a small, elusive creature that hangs out on the ocean floors in select locations. Called *Costasiella kuroshimae—*less formally "Leaf Sheep" or "Costasiella"—the slug has since been dubbed the cutest marine creature in the world.

![Credit: Lynn Wu](<https://www.scubadivingresource.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/leaf-sheep-sea-slug-costasiella-kuroshimae-6.jpg>)
*Credit: Lynn Wu*

Its cute features may set it apart from some of the more horrific living creatures patrolling our oceans, but they serve an important purpose. For instance, the colorful spike-like formations on its back are used to help the creature camouflage itself from potential predators—allowing it blend in no matter the environment.

Moreover, the 0.2-inch *(*5-mm*)* creature has fascinating eating habits. When it isn't gorging on moss, it can derive energy from sunlight—a process called photosynthesis—kind of like plants. It's hardly the only [creature with this ability](<https://futurism.com/photosynthetic-animals>), but its technique is a little different than most.

Namely, it employs [kleptoplasty](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kleptoplasty>)—a process whereby a living organism gains the ability to photosynthesize by stealing genes from other plants, like algae. In the event that food ever becomes scarce, some biologists believe certain species [can sustain themselves](<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2790442/>) on photosynthesis for a time. Eventually though, the effect wanes, and they revert back to their original form.

Of course, science aside…others have pointed out its physical similarities to Ermintrude: the cartoon cow from the Magical Roundabout. Do you see it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49k1lEXxbkA

## Author
Jaime is a freelance writer, who finds great joy in sharing the wonders of universe with others. She used this passion to launch "From Quarks to Quasars" in 2012.