Shaun the Sheep facts Size: It can grow up to 5-7 millimeters (0.2 inches) long. Life span: Between six months and a year. Scientific name: Costasiella kuroshimae Pro-creation: Her- maphrodites (having both male and female reproductive organs) must mate with another individual to produce an egg mass. See photo bot- tom left. Discovered: It was first discovered in 1993 near the island of Kuro- shima, Japan. Where can we find the sheep? There are 284 known species of Sacoglossa sea slugs in all temperate and tropical waters worldwide. The official name of “Shaun the Sheep” is Sacoglossa sea slug, also known as the “solar-powered sea slug” – or, when scientists are feeling unkind, the “sap-sucking sea slug. Shaun the Sheep is also a cartoon character featured in “Farmaged- don.” What determines its color? These “sap-sucking sea slugs” use their tiny sucker to extract plasma from algae cells, the color of the algae they eat reflects the colors of the sheep. Is it true, that if Shaun lost it’s head, it would grow a new one? No, Shaun is a “self- decapitating” slug.They aren’t cutting off their heads; they’re cutting off their bodies and leaving their heads.To survive, much like octopuses may lose an arm, a crab, its claw, an insect, or its leg – to avoid being eaten. No worries, these floating heads regenerated new bodies.
Photo by Margo Peyton
Counting sheep in the Philippines
By Margo Peyton I have been diving in the Philippines for the past 8 years. It is my favorite place in the world to dive for many reasons. I have the best dive buddy who can spot almost any critter. At the end of most trips, everyone is following him. The Philippines is the #1 spot for finding really cool critters. My sea sister Bigs Eggert is the owner of Amun ini divers. She introduced me and Tom to muck diving, and it has been a growing passion for us. This past Summer, she introduced me to my first sheep. Now, I really do fall asleep count- ing sheep. Last Summer, when our group arrived at Amun ini, Marcio was chatting about this funny little sheep named Shaun. Kewin also seemed to be all in on that topic. “Sheep,” I said, What are sheep? Tom’s ears perked up, too. Marcio and Kewin showed us photos of this adorable little alien sheep. Biggsy wanted to introduce me to the sheep, So she was my buddy for that first dive. Not long before, she waived me over, pointing to a small green leaf the size of a rose pedal. I saw nothing. She pointed to the leaf again, waiving me closer. I couldn’t see anything. It looked like clumps of sand stuck to the leaf. I then peered through my 60mm Macro lens and saw it. Shaun the Sheep. It was so tiny that if I did not remain perfectly still, it was gone from my lens, and I had to reset it again. Shaun was the size of a single grain of rice. This little guy was so adorable. It had 2 tiny dotted eyes and funny wobbly ears that could point up or down, and it was green and white with pink. Kewin found one that was yellow and blue. This was so exciting. On another leaf, I found sheep eggs. Some had hatched, and some were still full. We were all counting sheep at the end of each day. I also found a leaf slug or sheep in Roatan and learned it’s a sheep cousin. I am looking forward to counting sheep around the world.
Photo of Sheep eggs by Margo Peyton
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