Some Facts About Nudibranchs
The word nudibranch (pronounced nooda-brank) comes from the Latin word nudus (naked) and Greek brankhia (gills), in reference to the gills or gill-like appendages obviously sticking out from the backs of many nudibranchs. They have poor vision and their sense is obtained through through their rhinophores (on top of the head) and oral tentacles (near the 'mouth'). They also have a foot that leaves slimy trails.
There are over 3,000 species of nudibranchs, and new species are still being discovered. They range in size from a few millimeters to 12" long, and can weigh up to just over 3 pounds. Two main types of nudibranchs are dorid nudibranchs and eolid nudibranchs.All nudibranchs are sea slugs, but not all sea slugs are nudibranchs.
Nudibranchs eat colorful food, which gives them their brilliant color.
Nudibranchs eat using a radula. They are carnivorous - their prey includes sponges, coral, anemones, hydroids, barnacles, fish eggs, sea slugs, and other nudibranchs. Nudibranchs are picky eaters - individual species or families of nudibranchs may eat only one kind of prey.
Nudibranchs get their bright colors from the food they eat. These colors may be used for camouflage or to warn predators of the poison that lies within.
Nudibranchs may be toxic (to their prey, but not usually to humans)
Eolid nudibranchs can use their cerata for defense. When they eat prey with nematocysts (such as Portuguese man-of-wars), the nematocysts are eaten but not discharged,and instead are stored in the nudibranch's cerata where they can be used to sting predators.
Dorid nudibranchs make their own toxins or abosorb toxins them from their food and release those into the water when needed. Despite the unsavory or toxic taste they can present to their predators, most nudibranchs are harmless to humans.
About me
My first real encounter with the camera was through the underwater world. I am a lover of the ocean and have been diving since 2005. The contagious magical experience of diving very soon blossomed in me the desire to share that exquisite world with others.
Thus, I purchased my first underwater camera.
Slowly I became totally captivated and in love. Diving and the camera became inseparable.
Almost monthly I found myself travelling to Eilat to dive and photograph. It sent me to distant places of the Globe, first to Jordan then on to exotic islands, the Maldives, the Philippines and Palau.
The drive for even more beautiful pictures led me to an underwater photography course in Eilat.
Only then did I realize the true potential that underwater photography held for me. Today every dive for me is a journey and search for the perfect picture, whether a macro of the tiniest sea creatures or a giant through a wide lens.
Now I was totally hooked on all types of photography!,I started photographing with a DSRL Canon 60D , and took a comprehensive course at the Galitz School of Photography. I am still learning and broadening my sites all the time!
Through this website I share my love of the world as seen through the prism of the lens. These are some of my favourite pictures. I hope you'll enjoy surfing them!
Email: rafiamar7@gmail.com
A little bit about the website...
I set up this the website to concentrate all my works, so that people could see them in one place ..
At first I put only all my photos of the better, but slowly when the increased amount of animals and creatures,
I decided to concentrate most of my photographs, not even the most successful, and make a mini-ID identification, for all the creatures and animals,
Of course I'm not perfect .. and could be a mistake in one of my ID, I will be happy if you correct me!