Perhaps you can understand why this tiny sea slug is sometimes called the ‘sea sheep’ or ‘leaf sheep’? It grazes on algae just as a sheep grazes on grass, and it bears more than a little resemblance to an actual sheep. Sea sheep don’t digest the chloroplasts in the algae they eat—instead, they absorb the energy-producing cells. As a result, the leaf-like fins all over the sea sheep’s back are loaded with working chloroplasts, making the sea sheep one of the only non-plant life forms on Earth with the ability to photosynthesize—that is, produce its own energy using sunlight and water. Who knew an evolutionary advancement could be so cute?
Adorably evolutionary sea sheep
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
A little bit of Wonderland in New York City
-
A step toward freedom
-
Mount Hood, Oregon
-
A march toward a dream
-
World Art Day
-
I see one!
-
Uncommon clouds are gathering
-
Seville, Spain
-
Seventeen arches at sunset
-
Plum blossoms in China
-
World Elephant Day
-
Oktoberfest begins
-
A path to access
-
A center of antiquity on the Mediterranean
-
Brown bears in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska
-
Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri
-
Songkran—Thai New Year
-
Daintree Rainforest and Noah Beach, Queensland, Australia
-
Time for brass bands and beer
-
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
-
Salmon migration in full swing
-
Horsetail Fall, Yosemite National Park, California
-
Gemsbok in Namibian sand dunes
-
Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta
-
International Day of Peace
-
A bridge too Fawr
-
A Carpathian Christmas celebration
-
Last day of National Park Week
-
Belted Galloway cows
-
St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland