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The diversity and beauty that exists on this planet is absolutely amazing. Take the nudibranch, a shell-less mollusk, or sea slug. The nudibranch has evolved many colour and shape variations in order to camouflage itself or warn potential predators that it is poisonous or otherwise unpleasant to eat. Depending on the species, size also ranges from the very teeny tiny of 20 mm (3/4 of an inch) up to 600 mm (about two feet).

And although nudibranchs can be found in reef habitats around the world, they can be difficult to locate, so we’ve gathered 20 exceptional photos for you to feast your eyes on. Take a look and we think you’ll agree that the unassuming ‘nudi’ (as they are so fondly referred to in online forums) are without a doubt some of the most colourful and charming critters in the world. But the wonders of the nudi don’t stop here; we encourage you to check out the websites of the photographers we’ve featured as they’ve got oodles of stunning nudibranch pictures for you to admire!

1. Ceratosoma amoena

Image: doug.deep

2. Pteraeolidia ianthina

Image: doug.deep

3. Nembrotha rosannulata (’Donut’ Nembrotha)

Image: richard ling

4. Noumea sulphurea

Image: doug.deep

5. Neodoris chrysoderma

Image: doug.deep

6. Phyllidiopsis fissurata

Image: richard ling

7. Chromodoris woodwardae

Image: doug.deep

8. Notodoris minor

Image: Boogies with fish

9. Chromodoris kuniei

Image: Boogies with fish

10. Chromodoris tinctoria

Image: doug.deep

11. Chromodoris annae

Image: Jens Petersen via WikiMedia Commons

12. Gymnodoris impudica

Image: doug.deep

13. Phyllidiopsis shirinae

Image: Boogies with fish

14. Flabellina iodinea (Spanish shawl)

Image: Magnus Kjærgaard via WikiMedia Commons

15. Phyllodesmium poindimiei

Image: doug.deep

16. Phyllidia varicosa (’Fried Egg’ nudibranch)

Image: jon hanson

17. Jorunna funebris (’Funeral Pyre’ nudibranch)

Images: alfonsator

We’ll end off the set with a few photos of nudibranchs hanging out together … aren’t they cute?

18. Kubaryana feeding on clavelina

Image: Nick Hobgood via WikiMedia Commons

19. Hypselodoris bullockii

Image: Boogies with fish

20. Mexichromis multituberculata

Image: doug.deep

Sources: 1, 2

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