Beautiful and rare fire tip sea slug spotted

A tiny, neon-bright sea slug spotted during a public beach walk in Devon has become one of the rarest marine finds ever recorded in the UK.

The fire tip sea slug, known to scientists as Hermaea Variopicta, was discovered during a Shoresearch survey at Wembury in late March.

It was found by someone taking part in the Devon Wildlife Trust event, with photos taken by the trust's marine engagement assistant Jake Taylor-Bruce.

The sighting is thought to be only the seventh known UK record of the species, said Devon Wildlife Trust.

The creature is usually found in the Mediterranean and prefers warmer waters, meaning its appearance off the Devon coast is being seen as an indicator of climate change.

Taylor-Bruce said: "Somebody came over to me with a photo of something that they'd seen, and said, 'I've seen this animal, and it's beautiful but I don't know what it is.'"

He said he recognised it instantly. "I raced over at speeds that probably people shouldn't be running over the slippery, rocky surface, I think I probably hydroplaned."

The sea slug, about 3cm long and fully grown, lives among red seaweeds and feeds on algae. Its fiery reds, oranges and purples help it blend into its surroundings, rather than stand out.

"Ever since I've been going, I've missed out on that one, and I'm probably never gonna see another one," said Taylor-Bruce. "And then, lo and behold, right there in front of me, was, one of these fire tip sea slugs."

"This species in particular, I've never seen anything like it."

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