15 Amazing and Adorable Animals That Love to Eat Seaweed

Seaweed- a slimy ocean plant might not seem like an appetizing food choice for most humans, however, it seems like an absolute delicacy to some marine animals. These animals just can’t resist the umami flavor and crunchy texture of seaweed, which forms more than half their daily meals. You might be surprised to know; that there are some bizarre creatures in the ocean that devour this sea vegetable as part of their regular diet. From sea otters to manatees, a whole host of sea creatures rely on seaweed to fill their bellies. So, who are the other wacky yet seaweed enthusiasts? Keep reading to find out about Animals That Love to Eat Seaweed!

What is Seaweed?

Seaweed may seem like a boring plant, but it’s an essential part of the ocean’s ecosystem. It’s not just fish that rely on the nourishment seaweed provides. Some pretty unconventional marine life, like sea otters and sea turtles, can often be found munching on it!  

Animals That Love to Eat Seaweed

Here is the list of animals that love to eat seaweed, check them out and let us know what you think.

1. Sea Lion

Sea lions are fascinating creatures that are often seen enjoying a good meal of seaweed. Found mostly near the coasts of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, these marine mammals use their powerful front flippers to tear off pieces of seaweed and savor its unique flavor. Although seaweed is relatively low in calories, sea lions make up for it with their love for fish, squid, and crustaceans. Their varied diets make them one of the most adaptable predators of the sea while their playful and social nature has endeared them to many wildlife enthusiasts across the globe.

2. Dolphin

Did you know that dolphins have a taste for seaweed? While many people associate these intelligent animals with being fish lovers, they also enjoy consuming various forms of marine plant life, including seaweed. In fact, dolphins have been known to eat an impressive 15% of their body weight in seaweed each day! While they mostly eat plant life like algae and other small marine plants, dolphins are also carnivores and will sometimes indulge in invertebrates. 

3. Beluga Whale

Beluga whales are magnificent creatures with their massive size and gentle nature. With a weight of up to 200,000 pounds, they rightfully deserve the title of one of the world’s largest animals. However, what’s astonishing is that they hardly consume any food despite their hefty weight. Beluga whales predominantly feast on krill and small fish, with seaweed being a favorite snack of theirs. It’s interesting to note that when they crave a bit of seaweed, they often drift close to the seashore to effortlessly indulge in their meal.  

4. Humpback Whale

Humpback whales are truly magnificent creatures of the sea. As some of the largest animals on earth, weighing up to a whopping 80,000 pounds and stretching up to 60 feet in length, they command respect and wonder from all who observe them. While they are known for their diet of small fish, krill, and squid, these gentle giants have also been seen chowing down on seaweed. It’s not entirely clear why they love this crunchy underwater plant so much, but some scientists hypothesize that it helps them with digestion, allowing them to better process their other meals.  

5. Penguin

When it comes to animals that enjoy eating seaweed, penguins might not be the first creatures to come to mind. However, these flightless birds have a well-known love for seaweed, and they consume so much of it that their guano has become a sought-after fertilizer. But did you know that there’s a species of penguin that’s neither black nor white? The pink penguin, which lives on Gough Island, is a unique sight to see. With their pinkish hue standing out against the island’s stark landscape, these birds add a pop of color to the often harsh Antarctic environment.  

6. Albatross

The albatross is a majestic seabird known for its impressive wingspan and graceful flight. These long-winged birds belong to the family Diomedeidae and are primarily found in the Southern Ocean, though some species can be seen in the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans.

One of the most striking features of the albatross is its enormous wings, which can span up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) or more, making it one of the largest flying birds on Earth. This incredible wingspan allows them to effortlessly glide for hours without flapping, using ocean winds to their advantage as they forage for food.

7. California Sea Otter

The California sea otter, a marine creature indigenous to the shores of California and Mexico, predominantly consumes marine creatures such as crabs, clams, and snails. Interestingly, they also display a preference for seaweed as part of their diet. Sea otters have demonstrated an inclination to consume seaweed equivalent to a quarter of their own body weight on a daily basis. In contrast to numerous other herbivores or omnivores, these otters exhibit this behavior primarily due to the presence of nutrients in seaweed that are not readily available in their aquatic surroundings. This dietary choice is attributed to essential minerals such as iodine and vitamin C, which are uniquely absent from the ocean ecosystem.

8. Manatee

These gentle and immense creatures are renowned for their fondness for consuming aquatic vegetation, including seaweed. Their voracious consumption of these plants is significant enough to even alter the structure of seagrass beds.

Manatees employ their sensitive lips while searching for food, carefully selecting the most delectable portions of seaweed. It’s a common sight to observe them holding these pieces in their mouths before voraciously devouring them.

Although seaweed is a fundamental element of their diet, manatees have a more diverse culinary preference. They partake in a wide range of sustenance, from grass to algae. This dietary selection is logical, considering that they spend the majority of their time adrift on the water’s surface, grazing on submerged vegetation with only their heads protruding above the waterline.

When these creatures emerge to breathe, you can easily identify them by their distinctively paddle-shaped tail. They breathe air through their nose or blowhole during these surface moments.

Should you chance upon these creatures indulging in seaweed, there’s little need for concern. These amiable beings are often referred to as “sea cows” due to their gentle and non-confrontational nature. As long as we maintain a respectful distance and avoid startling them, they tend to shy away from human interactions.

9. Green Turtle

The green turtle, a type of marine turtle, inhabits tropical and subtropical waters all around the globe. Its distinctive name originates from the hue of its body fat, which is green, owing to its consumption of algae.

Predominantly herbivorous, these turtles have a diet centered around plant matter. Among their preferred delicacies is seaweed!

If you happen upon a green turtle while submerged, take a moment to observe its mouth. You’ll likely find it ajar, with small fragments of seaweed visibly protruding between its teeth.

10. Sea Urchin

The sea urchin, a diminutive and prickly organism, resides within the ocean. These peculiar creatures are commonly located in proximity to the shoreline, where they sustain themselves by consuming seaweed and various other underwater flora.

Employing their pointed teeth, sea urchins engage in the task of scraping algae from rocks and coral. Additionally, they exhibit a penchant for consuming minute invertebrates like crabs and shrimp. Although the majority of sea urchins pose no threat to humans, certain species possess the capability to administer a distressing sting.

11. Eel

 Despite their usual preference for consuming small fish, eels sometimes indulge in snacking on seaweed. On occasion, they display the behavior of entwining themselves around substantial aquatic plants and proceeding to consume the vegetation.

Although the majority of eels do not particularly relish the flavor of seaweed, they will resort to eating it when alternative food sources are scarce. It is not uncommon for them to coil around sizable seaweed plants, utilizing their teeth to nibble on the foliage.

12. Shrimp

Although the notion of shrimp being seaweed consumers might be challenging to grasp for many, it’s essential to recognize them as members of the animal kingdom. Similar to all living creatures, shrimp possess the need to nourish themselves for their sustenance.

Now, let’s delve into the question of what constitutes the diet of shrimp. Surprisingly, these diminutive beings exhibit a strong inclination toward seaweed. They engage in substantial consumption of this aquatic plant, sometimes devouring an amount equivalent to up to 40% of their own body weight. To put this into perspective, if humans were to partake in a similar consumption ratio, it would be tantamount to consuming over 10 pounds of food.

13. Starfish

Many individuals tend to perceive starfish as uncomplicated beings inhabiting the ocean floor. However, it might surprise you to learn that certain types of starfish possess a remarkable skill for consuming seaweed. These creatures employ their tube feet to skillfully detach fragments of seaweed from rocks, subsequently transporting these morsels to their mouths.

Speaking of seaweed enthusiasts, starfish are far from being the sole peculiar animals that relish a delightful seaweed repast. Take a moment to explore some other eccentric members of the animal kingdom featured on this intriguing list!

14. Lobster

These crimson-shelled organisms are frequently encountered near coastlines, inhabiting waters with temperatures ranging from 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite initial assumptions, they have quite an appetite for seaweed.

Lobsters engage in the consumption of algae, seagrasses, and various other marine plants. This dietary habit contributes to the maintenance of their digestive system’s cleanliness and proper functionality. Seaweed holds a significant iodine content, a crucial element for ensuring optimal thyroid performance.

Throughout history, many coastal inhabitants have integrated seaweed into their diets due to its ready availability and the multitude of vitamins and minerals it offers. This has been especially important for compensating for the nutritional deficiencies often present in inland diets.

15. Betta Fish

Seaweed holds a crucial role in the dietary habits of various animals, motivating us to delve into the subject of what creatures consume this marine plant. Among these, betta fish are noteworthy, as they exhibit a continuous affinity for grazing on seaweed.

Equipped with a uniquely adapted mouth structure, betta fish possess the ability to skillfully scrape algae from rocks and diverse surfaces. Anyone who has had the experience of keeping betta fish as companions is well aware of their pronounced fondness for seaweed consumption.

FAQs on Animals That Love to Eat Seaweed

What animals eat seaweed?

Various marine creatures consume seaweed as part of their diet, including sea urchins, sea turtles, manatees, dugongs, certain fish species like parrotfish and surgeonfish, as well as marine invertebrates such as mollusks and crustaceans. Some coastal and marine birds, along with herbivorous marine mammals like seals and sea lions, may also consume seaweed.

What animals eat dried seaweed?

Herbivorous fish in aquariums, like tangs, might be given dried seaweed sheets. Grazing domestic animals near the coast, such as goats and sheep, could accidentally eat dried seaweed if it washes ashore. Animals in human care, like those in zoos or rehabilitation centres, might receive dried seaweed as a dietary supplement. 

What animals eat red seaweed?

Red seaweed serves as a dietary component for various marine creatures. Herbivorous fish like surgeonfish, rabbitfish, and parrotfish rely on it. Sea urchins graze on red seaweed using specialised mouthparts, while certain marine invertebrates such as mollusks and crustaceans consume it. Marine mammals like manatees and dugongs may also include red seaweed in their herbivorous diet. Even filter-feeding organisms like sponges and tunicates can extract nutrients from red seaweed particles in the water. 

Final Words on Animals That Love to Eat Seaweed

It’s hard to believe that there are so many animals out there that enjoy munching on seaweed. Who knew? Well, now we do and it’s fascinating. From sea turtles to fish, these creatures may not be your typical meal of choice, but they all have an important role to play in the ecosystem. It just goes to show that you never really know what an animal will eat, and that there’s always something new to discover about the natural world. So the next time you see a piece of seaweed floating on the surface of the water, don’t be too surprised if it suddenly starts moving – there’s probably a hungry critter munching away!

Reference:

• https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/red-coralline-alga# 
• https://www.wildbirdscoop.com/can-birds-eat-seaweed.html 
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edible_seaweed