# Underwater Angels (DD-310)

> Sea angels (order Gymnosomata, part of the pteropods) are small, shell-less marine snails. Their translucent, gelatinous bodies carry two wing-like flaps that they beat to swim. They live in cold seas, from the surface to deeper water, and feed mainly on shelled pteropods called sea butterflies. The footage shows sea angels swimming.

- Department: Nature
- First published: 2024-08-28
- Last updated: 2024-08-28
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/underwater-angels/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-310-F01**: Sea angels are marine snails. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Snails))_
- **DD-310-F02**: Adults have no shell. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (No shell))_

## Write-up

Sea angels are snails that swim with wing-like flaps. They hunt sea butterflies, their shelled cousins.

1. **Snails**: Sea angels are marine snails.
2. **No shell**: Adults have no shell.
3. **Wings**: They swim with wing-like flaps.
4. **Cold seas**: They live in cold seas.
5. **Prey**: They eat sea butterflies.

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: The Reel says sea angels live in deep ocean waters; common species such as Clione limacina are also found near the surface.

## Video: Underwater Angels: Sea Angels Are Snails That Swim With Wing-Like Flaps

- Duration: 27.2 s · Published: 2024-08-28
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C_MxB86J0qc.mp4

### Transcript

Sea angels are small marine gastropods that belong to Pteropoda. These creatures are translucent, known for their gelatinous bodies and wing-like flaps that resemble angel wings, which they use for swimming. They inhabit cold, deep ocean waters and feed on tiny planktonic organisms. Sea angels are [...] unique appearance and behavior, [...] method of locomotion and their role in the marine food web. Their delicate, ethereal beauty and fascinating adaptations [...] subject of interest in marine biology. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What kind of animal is a sea angel?**  
A: A gastropod. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Snails) · Wikipedia: Gymnosomata)_

**Q: How do they swim?**  
A: Like wings. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (No shell) · Wikipedia: Gymnosomata)_

**Q: Do adults have shells?**  
A: Shell-less. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Wings) · Wikipedia: Gymnosomata)_

**Q: What do they eat?**  
A: Shelled pteropods. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Cold seas) · Wikipedia: Clione limacina)_

**Q: Where do they live?**  
A: Polar and cold waters. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Prey) · Wikipedia: Gymnosomata; Wikipedia: Clione limacina)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Gymnosomata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnosomata)
- [Wikipedia: Clione limacina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clione_limacina)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Underwater Angels." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-310, last updated Aug 28, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/underwater-angels/