To touch or not to touch?

[maged_mmh]

Yesterday I had an argument with a DM, coming back from a short boat trip.
It was about whether touching nudibranches & sea slugs bare handed is safe (not stinging human skin).
Although never tried it myself, I know that nudis feed on stinging creatures like Hydras. Based on that my guess was it is NOT ok to touch them.
Just thought to ask about that, maybe somebody had personal experience.

 

[fisheater]

Simple rule to keep you and the critters safe: don't touch.

 

[driftwood]

The only reason I need to touch anything is to save my a##, and I will do it in a heart beat. Other than safety reasons, don't touch.

 

[AirInHere]

You are correct. Touching a nudibranch is a great way to get stung by one of them.

Not all pose a threat, but enough of them do that it is never a good idea to touch one with an ungloved hand.

 

[MeiLing]

I'm a big toucher, not necessarily nudis (too small) but other things. I've found out the hard way that critters can sting (even through gloves - Crown of Thorns). I tend to limit my touching somewhat these days!

Reaction: hands turned blue, hurt and were numb at the same time! I was lucky, I think!

 

[Boxcar Overkill]

The rule for nudibranches is the same as for nudie bars....


Look, but don't touch.

 

[ZenDiver.3D]

The rule for nudibranches is the same as for nudie bars....


Look, but don't touch.

LOVE THAT!!

 

[SPG3K]

The rule for nudibranches is the same as for nudie bars....


Look, but don't touch.

What if you tip the Nudibranch REALLY well, and they like you?

 

[miketsp]

Some nudibranchs or seaslugs specialise in eating hydroids. They have developed an amazing technique whereby they can eat the hydroids without triggering the stinging cells and thus don't get harmed by the poisonous stings. But they go even further than that. When they eat the hydroid the stinging cells remain intact and migrate through the stomach wall and into colourful projections on the back of the nudibranch. Here the stinging cells become embedded in the skin of the nudibranch and are ready to sting a fish or other predator which may try to eat the nudibranch! So the nudibranch uses the defence mechanism of the hydroid to protect itself from predators.

The Amazing life of Nudibranchs or Sea Slugs - Defending Our Mediterranean

 

[Deefstes]

Slightly off topic but I just get very upset when I see pictures of divers touching anything. Maybe I'm a little bit too purist about it but I just don't see why it is EVER neccessary to touch ANYTHING. I remember swimming side by side with huge turtles wanting to touch them so badly but just restrained myself because I figured that it would only serve to gratify me and certainly not the turtle.

So when I see pictures of people touching manatees, dolphins, mantas and turtles I just get majorly irked. I mean, I can contain myself, why can't everybody?

I'm sure there are some creatures that don't mind being touched but why touch them anyway? We're in their domain enjoying them in their natural habitat. Can't we do that without interfering. Leave them alone and let them do what they would have done if we weren't there at all.

[/rant]