How some sea slugs learned to harness the sun
In this 2023 TED talk, invertebrate zoologist Michael Middlebrooks explores the remarkable evolution of solar-powered sea slugs. Discover how these colorful creatures traded their protective shells for the ability to create energy directly from sunlight.
While most animals must consume food to survive, certain species of sea slugs have developed a way to photosynthesize like plants. This biological feat allows them to harness solar energy to power their bodies.
The video examines the trade-offs involved in this adaptation. These slugs have lost the physical protection of a shell, but in exchange, they have gained a unique, direct method of energy production.
Source: Michael Middlebrooks: The fantastically weird world of photosynthetic sea slugs
