Going on a sea slug hunting trip 🤠 It's been so long since I've been able to do this since I moved away from the Oregon coast, but luckily it's not too far away! Melibe leonina (the hooded nudibranch) has a wide range along the west coast, but historically has been seen very rarely along the Oregon coast with less than 10 documented sightings until last year. It's incredibly exciting that they have seem to have established a colony in the Yaquina Bay and I hope to see them next year! This species is very seasonal and has a short lifespan of around a year. In the fall, they congregate to spawn and then their bodies are recycled into nutrients for the sea. A fun fact about this species is that the have a very unique and strong smell that in my opinion resembles a mix of sandalwood and watermelon jolly ranchers. #marinebiology #ocean #sealife #seaslug #nudibranch #melibe #science #beach #pnw #animals #nature #learnontiktok