# Spotted Aglaja (*aglaja ocelligera*) The Spotted Aglaja is a beautiful creature with vibrant spots that can make it look like a little jewel! Kids will love observing how it moves and interacts with its environment. - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Moist forests and shaded areas with plenty of vegetation. - **Also known as:** Colorful Slug, Jewel Slug, Spotted Slug ![Spotted Aglaja](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Aglaja_ocelligera_189958206.jpg&width=800) Photo: Erin McKittrick, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aglaja_ocelligera_189958206.jpg) ## Appearance The Spotted Aglaja has a sleek, dark brown to black body adorned with striking iridescent blue or green spots, known as ocelli. It features two prominent, paddle-like head flaps, making it distinct from many other sea slugs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Mollusca - **Class:** Gastropoda - **Order:** Cephalaspidea - **Family:** Aglajidae - **Genus:** Aglaja ## Interesting facts - Despite its name, its "spots" actually glow with iridescent blue or green colors! - It is a skillful hunter, tracking prey by following chemical trails in the sand. - This amazing sea slug is a hermaphrodite, having both male and female parts. - When threatened, it can squirt a cloud of purple ink as a surprising defense. ## Special abilities - **Cloud Shield:** Spotted Aglaja can release a noxious, opaque purple or white fluid because it helps deter predators when disturbed. - **Sand Diver:** Spotted Aglaja can quickly burrow into sandy seafloors that helps them hide from threats and ambush unsuspecting prey. - **Scent Seeker:** Spotted Aglaja has sensitive chemoreceptors on its head flaps that help them detect hidden prey in the sand. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 4 cm - **Weight:** 2 g - **Lifespan:** 1 years - **Maximum Depth:** 50 m ## Diet & Feeding A carnivorous sea slug that hunts and eats small worms and other invertebrates hidden in the sand. - **Primary Foods:** Flatworms, Sipunculid Worms, Small Gastropods - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Spotted Flatworm (*Stylochus oculatus*) — A common prey item for the sea slug. - **Hunts:** Agassiz's Peanut Worm (*Phascolosoma agassizii*) — Dug from sand, this worm is a meal. - **Eaten by:** Inerm Navanax (*Navanax inermis*) — A larger, related sea slug may prey on it. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Invertebrates](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/invertebrates) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Spotted Aglaja? Compare body symmetry, shells, segments, legs, tentacles and how the animal moves. Invertebrates span many unrelated groups, so start with body structure. Invertebrate Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Spotted Aglaja? 4 cm ### How much does Spotted Aglaja weigh? 2 g ### How long does Spotted Aglaja live? 1 years ### What does Spotted Aglaja eat? A carnivorous sea slug that hunts and eats small worms and other invertebrates hidden in the sand. ### Where is Spotted Aglaja usually found? Moist forests and shaded areas with plenty of vegetation. ### How does Spotted Aglaja hunt? Pursuit ### How deep can Spotted Aglaja go? 50 m ## Where to spot - [Amalik Bay Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/amalik-bay-archeological-district) — US · Historic District - [Kitsap Memorial State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kitsap-memorial-state-park) — Washington, US · State Park ## More Invertebrate - [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral) - [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*) - [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) - [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*) --- Source: [Spotted Aglaja: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-aglaja)