Rainbow sea slug discovered in Cornwall rock pools

A rainbow sea slug, scientifically known as Babakina anadoni, has been discovered in a rock pool at Porthpean, Cornwall. The tiny, multi-coloured creature is typically found in the warmer Atlantic waters off the coasts of Spain, Portugal, and France.

Volunteer Luke Galpin spotted the thumbnail-sized creature during a 24-hour community bioblitz festival organized by the Rock Pool Project. Experts suggest the presence of this species in St Austell Bay is a likely first for the area and serves as an indicator of how warming seas are reshaping UK coastlines. The species has been appearing in increasing numbers along UK shores, with previous records noted in the Isles of Scilly in 2022 and Falmouth.