The stylish Spanish shawl Jan 9, 2021

Today we"re meeting one of a motley group of sea slugs called the nudibranchs (rhymes with "thanks"), known for their unique, often complex shapes and neon-bright colors that help discourage predators. The Spanish shawl"s fire-orange mane is made up of tendrils called cerata that mainly act as gills. But that mane also retains venom from the slug"s prey—sea anemones—treating any would-be devourers to a painful sting. Should a ravenous sea star disregard these defenses and get too close for comfort, the Spanish shawl has a Plan B: By flapping its whole 2- to 3-inch body like a gelatinous wing, the nudibranch can flutter into open water for a quick escape.

© WaterFrame/Alamy

palette

Today in History

Jan 9, 2018Great Fountain Geyser, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Jan 9, 2019What, no escalator?
Jan 9, 2020Into the woods
Jan 9, 2022Rice processing in Bangladesh
Jan 9, 2023Wind Cave National Park celebrates 120 years
Jan 9, 2024Balloon Ascension Day
Jan 9, 2025Remembering Jimmy Carter
Jan 9, 2026Muir Woods National Monument anniversary

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Apr 13, 2018Replica of a Viking home in Dublin National Botanic Gardens, Ireland
Nov 3, 2023World Jellyfish Day
Nov 17, 2025National Take a Hike Day
Dec 8, 2020A fortress in the sky
Oct 12, 2022Fossil Day
Nov 11, 2022Veterans Day
Nov 18, 2018An inland ocean
Nov 24, 2018The tortoise and the finch
Aug 17, 2024International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend
Mar 21, 2025Happy International Day of Forests!
Jun 20, 2024Summer solstice
Apr 21, 2025International Dark Sky Week
Jun 6, 2018Feature Attraction: 85 years at the drive-in
Jan 9, 2022Rice processing in Bangladesh
Mar 23, 2019What happened to these clouds?
Aug 30, 2024International Whale Shark Day
May 28, 2022Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park, Australia
Oct 8, 2025World Octopus Day
May 26, 2024Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington
Jan 15, 2025Anniversary of the British Museum
Dec 12, 2023Poinsettia Day
Sep 25, 2023Sea Otter Awareness Week
Feb 21, 2022Presidents Day
Nov 25, 2022Native American Heritage Day
Aug 24, 2024Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument anniversary
Dec 23, 2024Celebrating Festivus
Feb 6, 2023Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
Feb 5, 2021A sea of swirling stone
Dec 4, 2020Protecting wildlife today and tomorrow
Sep 18, 2023Fall Astronomy Week