Rare sea slug photographed in UK waters

Spotting a rare sea slug in UK waters was "absolutely incredible" says an underwater photographer.

Maria Munn from Swanage, Dorset, captured the Warty Doris near Old Harry Rocks in Studland Bay earlier this month.

The ocean lover who volunteers with Seasearch, a project led by the Marine Conservation Society, said she was "so excited" and had to "do a double take".

The slug is usually found off France, Belgium and Spain, and in the waters of the Mediterranean, Adriatic and west Atlantic.

Seasearch and Dorset Wildlife Trust confirmed that Ms Munn's discovery was the species of nudibranch, which gets it name from the warts all over its body.

"It's normally associated with warmer waters so it's possibly an indicator of climate change," Ms Munn said.

She said there were quite a few of the bright yellow and orange creatures, which can range in length from 30mm to 70mm.

"It actually breathes through it's bottom so it's quite a cute species," she said.

The environmentalist was also able to capture an image of the brightly coloured Warty Doris eggcase, which the slug's use to protect their eggs.

Ms Munn fell in love with the ocean after she used swimming and snorkelling to aid her recovery following a series of car accidents.

She said she is out exploring and snorkelling along Dorset's coastline on a daily basis.

She blogs her findings, in the hope that it will inspire others to make new discoveries in the local waters.

"I just want to raise awareness of the marine life that we can find around here and how colourful and beautiful it is," she said.

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