pseudoconch of the sea butterfly
Given my fondness for butterflies, I did not, however, make up the name. There were a handful of these firm, flexible, and bumpy clear things washed up along the tide line. It resembles and actually fit like one of those rubber finger tips that old school secretaries used to file paperwork. I liken finding the pseudoconch similar to finding an empty snail shell. Online pictures of the animal itself make no sense to me. Click the scientific name above for an excellent diver's summary with gorgeous photos. Apparently, the sea butterfly is more closely related to the sea hare than the floating sea snail. Go figure. Marine life is such an alien world to me.
ps 10/09/16 - Apparently these don't seem to have a particular season. Andy and I went out to Asilomar today and found numerous sea butterfly carcasses on the beach.
ps 10/09/16 - Apparently these don't seem to have a particular season. Andy and I went out to Asilomar today and found numerous sea butterfly carcasses on the beach.
