News Life Marine creature cooks up chemical defense from food Sea hare turns algal pigment toxic to ward off crabs and other predators By Rachel Ehrenberg June 4, 2010 at 4:40 pm - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print One beastie’s pigment is another’s poison. The marine-dwelling sea hare converts pigment from its food into a chemical weapon, a new study shows. INKY WARFARE Ink made by the California sea hare (above) is laced with a chemical deterrent made from an algal pigment, researchers report.