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Want a new body - cut off your head

Want a new body - cut off your head
Sea slugs that sever their very own heads and regenerate a brand new physique in week present in Japan. These unusual sea slugs are found not only in Japan, but also in Bali.

Scientists saw the behaviour in two species of sacoglossan sea slug.

The detached head regrows another body, but the body does not regrow a head. They do regenerate pores and skin, muscle and blood.

Young sea slugs start wriggling and eating straight after decapitation, regrow a heart a week later and the process is completed in a total of three weeks.

Want a new body - cut off your headWant a new body - cut off your headWant a new body - cut off your head
Want a new body - cut off your head Want a new body - cut off your head Want a new body - cut off your head




The reason for the unusual adaptation remains unclear, but scientists suggest it may allow the slugs to remove internal parasites that affect reproduction.

The researchers believe the slugs may have stem cell-like tissues at the site of the cut which can develop into any other cell the slug needs.

The authors speculate that while the slugs wait for their organs to redevelop they may survive by using the photosynthetic ability of the algae they eat, a trait known as kleptoplasty.

These findings mark a new form of autotomy in the animal kingdom, building on other famous examples, including in newts and lizards.

Photo 1, 2 – @diveguideinbali, Bali
(Based on materials, photo 3-6 – by Joe Pinkstone for Mailonline)