Melibe Madness!

Over the past year all the resorts in Lembeh have received an increasing number of a single name on the wish lists: the Melibe colemani. We have found a few, but they are small, delicate and very hard to find, even when you know where to look. One of our guides thought he had found one recently and I went over to have a look.

The M. colemani is white, but this one had brownish markings, so after my initial excitement and a closer look at my photos, I did some research. I’m not 100% sure, but out of the known species, I do believe that this critter is the Melibe engeli. It’s a lovely slug, as you can see. Notice that he’s feeding in each photo… an active individual.

I did later get snaps of the elusive M. colemani, and we now see both species a few times every year. What amazing creatures!