Patito - Lined Sea Hare
Kia Orana Explorers!
Here is a beautiful specimen of Patito!
Sea Hares lack of a developed shell (their shell is actually inside !) and they use chemical defenses to survive on the reef.
Passively, the contain toxins and and if ingested they may cause sickness.
Actively, they can “ink” the predators. If disturbed or attacked Sea Hare will release simultaneously purple ink and a viscous substance called opaline.
When this two are mixed they produce a chemical compound that produces a potent irritant that act as deterrent for crays, crabs and wrasses.
Patito were once one of the seasonal harvest from the lagoon. Locals will gather together in the lagoon, collect the patito, bit their heads off and squeeze out the interiors (This would have apparently removed the toxins)
The ink was also collected and was used as natural purple dye for traditional costumes.
Have you ever seen one? Have you ever eat it? Have you ever used the dye?
Let us know in the comments, we would love to learn more about this gentle (and quite big) sea slug 🌊 🐌
Kia Manuia 🌸
Mr. Abiu AKA Pouteria Caimito
Trying for you one of the most delicious fruits we had ever encountered on our Inland Discoveries Walk!
Mrs. Matisia AKA Chupa Chupa
Kia Orana Explorers!
Today we are trying for you one of the rarest fruit we have found on our Inland Discoveries Walk - the Chupa Chupa!
It tastes very weirdly good!
Keen for more fruitful discoveries?
Join our next Inland Discoveries Walk on 24 April 👌
Kiaorana and Happy New year tatau katoatoa! Hope everyone’s having a Jolly start in 2021!
Weathers been beautiful and the low tides have been perfect for a reef explore!
Have you ever seen a howling crab?
Cook island Maori name is Ūpaki, commonly known as a Round-back crab or pebble crab. ( sci. carpilius convexus)
What’s your favorite Crab?
Come, wanna explore the reef?
Have you ever seen a stonefish? Meet Mr Toka! Did you know they are the most venomous fish in the world? Their venom sacs are found in their 13 spines, they do not use their venom for hunting but as a defense mechanism and is released when there’s pressure on their spines OUCH 😓 THEY have excellent camouflage skills, Covered in encrusted brown or grey skin with yellow, orange and red patches, they are able to camouflage very well with their surrounding environment. They are often mistaken for a stone or part of a coral reef.
Careful out there peeps make sure to wear protective reef boots 🥾 and do not stand or rest on coral if snorkeling 🤿
Meitaki Maata 🌺
Close encounter with Octo-Paul the master of camouflage. Eke - Octopus 🤩🐙
Brittle Star, have you seen one before?
Come let me show you. These alien like sea creatures lives everywhere from shallow waters near the seashore & on the reef & depths down to 30,000 feet. They come in many shapes and colors, they’re also called serpent stars because of the snakelike movements of the five mobile, slender arms. SICK 🤙🏽👀🤩
10th July 2019
My friend Presh and her beautiful Son Rongomai. Only speaks Te reo Maori To her kids, such beautiful sound to hear. After our reef Walkabout it’s nice to have fresh Cold Nu & some yummy KAI. “Patua ki ko nea, Kia horo,Kia Kaha”✊🏽 Titiro 👀
Big Aroa 💙
