Sea Slugs’ Colors Are Built, Not Painted | Science News

Science News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 28, 2026 · 1m

Sea slugs, or nudibranchs, aren’t just colorful—they’re nature’s optical engineers. Their dazzling hues come not from pigment, but from microscopic guanine crystal plates that reflect up to 80% of light, creating vivid, efficient colors through structural design. Scientists discovered these “natural pixels” using microscopes, revealing how evolution turned physics into art—making these ocean butterflies not only beautiful, but brilliantly warning predators they’re not worth eating. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on…