The Spanish Dancer Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sea slug

The Spanish dancer is a large sea slug that typically grows to about 35 cm (9.8 in), but some have been reported to grow as large as 40 cm (19.7 in). The front of its body has a pair of retractable rhinophores, or sensory organs. The Spanish dancer has six gills on the posterior part of its body. Unlike most other species of sea slugs that have a series of cerata over their backs to breathe, the Spanish dancer has no cerata.

Instead, they use their gills to breathe underwater.

Answer: Bright red

If a Spanish dancer is disturbed while resting or feeding, it will move quickly away by unfolding its edges and undulating its body. At the same time, it flashes its bright red colour. This bright colour is the opposite of camouflage and is meant to be seen by potential predators. Red is a common colour that animals use to warn predators that they are toxic or dangerous.

This appearance-type warning to predators is known as "aposematism", which comes from the Ancient Greek words "apo" (away) and "sēma" (sign).

Answer: False

Spanish dancers are toxic to both their potential natural predators in the water and to humans if ingested. They are beautiful to watch as they dance through the water, but they should not be eaten. Reports suggest that, besides being toxic, they actually taste disgusting, another reason to avoid eating them. If they are encountered on a dive and accidentally touched, this is fine.

The toxins will only affect the predator (or human) if ingested.

Answer: Emperor shrimp

The Spanish dancer can often be found being accompanied by an Emperor shrimp. The shrimp "sits" on the slug and picks off dirt and parasites. At the same time, the Spanish dancer's toxicity warns predators away and provides a bodyguard of sorts for the shrimp.

Answer: False

The Spanish dancer can only be found in reefs in the Red Sea and in tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific Oceans. The ideal water temperature for the Spanish dancer is about 19 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius (66 to 88 Fahrenheit). It is not found in the colder Atlantic waters.

Answer: Because of how it moves when swimming

Spanish dancers typically spend most of their waking time on the surface of reefs feeding. However, when threatened, they will show their bright red colour, and swim away by flapping their sides and undulating their bodies. This reminded some early observers of the colours and movements of Spanish flamenco dancers. This brought the unique name to the creatures.

Answer: A mollusc with no shell

The word "nudibranch" comes to us from the Latin word "nudus", meaning "naked", and the Ancient Greek word "bránkhia", meaning "gills". Nudibranchs are usually found in salt water. They typically have shells in their larval stage, but shed those and develop other defence mechanisms when they reach the adult stage.

Answer: It transforms its food into poison

The Spanish dancer feeds on various species of sponges from the family Halichondriidae. Once the sponge is eaten, the slug uses its own body chemistry to transform the food into a toxic chemical that is very potent to all who may consume it. The toxic chemical is also used to coat its eggs when those are laid in order to protect the young.

Answer: At night

During the daytime, the Spanish dancer spends its time hiding in crevasses in its coral reef. This may be because that is when many of its predators are most active. They feed mostly on sponges, so these they are able to efficiently find their food source after dark because the sponges are sessile, or stationary.

The slugs do not need light to chase prey. Spanish dancers also seem to avoid sunlight, so tend to hide in dark spots in their reefs even during the day.

Answer: A red rose on a piece of coral

Spanish dancers are hermaphrodites. They have both male and female body parts within their own bodies. However, they do not self-mate. In order to mate, two must come together with one using its male parts to deposit sperm for the other's egg sacs. Once the eggs are fertilized, the slug that is acting as the female lays the eggs in a ribbon that is attached to a piece of coral or rock.

The ribbon can be around around 70 cm (27 in), but is attached to the coral or rock on one edge wrapped closely in a shape that resembles a rose.

After attaching the cluster, the female coats it with the same red toxin in her own body to warn predators away. Neither parent stays with or cares for the eggs after they are laid.