Aplysia Q&A

  1. What is the natural habitat of Aplysia?

    Aplysia californica are marine animals that inhabit coastal regions thick with vegetation. This particular species ranges from Northern California to Baja California.

  2. What do Aplysia eat?

    Aplysia are herbivorous or plant-eaters, feeding mainly on seaweed and algae.

  3. Aplysia are members of what phylum?

    Molluska.

  4. Do Aplysia have shells like other mollusks?

    Yes and no, but an Aplysia's shell is vestigial, which means it is left over from when the animal was growing. The shell is much softer than other mollusk shells and is transparent, and you can see it inside the animal.

  5. How do Aplysia hold and eat their food?

    They use a grasping radula and a pair of jaws that pull the food into the animal's mouth.

  6. List two behaviors of Aplysia.

    Reproduction and feeding.

  7. What causes Aplysia to have different colors?

    The color of the particular animal matches the color of the algae or vegetation they feed on the most.

  8. Why do Aplysia produce ink?

    Aplysia produce ink when they feel uncomfortable, threatened, or attacked.

  9. 10. Which brain cells are widely used by scientists for research on memory, behavior and learning processes?

    The neuron.