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Nature

Sea Bunny

What is sea bunny?

· Emily Grant

Key facts

Scientific name Jorunna parva[2]
Common name Sea bunny[2]
Animal group Nudibranch[1]
Broader type Marine gastropod mollusc[2]
Family Discodorididae[2]
Body form Shell-less[2]

A sea bunny is a nudibranch, specifically *Jorunna parva*, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc that resembles a rabbit but is a sea slug.

Context

The sea bunny (*Jorunna parva*) is a nudibranch, a type of marine gastropod mollusc, commonly described as a sea slug rather than a rabbit [2]. Its rabbit-like features are functional: the 'ears' are rhinophores for detecting chemical cues, and the 'tail' is gills for breathing underwater [1]. Despite its cute appearance, it is a shell-less mollusc in the family Discodorididae [2].

Documented claims

  • The sea bunny's 'ears' are rhinophores that detect chemical cues. [1]
  • The 'tail' is actually gills used for breathing underwater. [1]
  • The rabbit-like appearance is functional, not literal. [1]

Questions and answers

Can I touch a sea bunny?

The sources do not provide information on touching sea bunnies.

Is the sea bunny venomous?

The sources do not mention venom in sea bunnies.

Can I have a sea bunny as a pet?

The sources do not discuss keeping sea bunnies as pets.

Why do sea bunnies look so cute?

The sea bunny's rabbit-like appearance comes from its rhinophores and gills, which are functional body parts [1].

Sources

  1. Animal Pen: Sea Bunny - A Slice of Pi : MSA's Student Newspaper — asop.mnmsa.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Sea Bunny - American Oceans — americanoceans.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Nature