News Life Sea slug steals genes for greens, makes chlorophyll like a plant Animal shown to manufacture a key photosynthetic compound By Susan Milius January 10, 2010 at 3:38 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 SEATTLE — It’s easy being green for a sea slug that has stolen enough genes to become the first animal shown to make chlorophyll like a plant. STOLEN GREEN The kleptomaniac sea slug Elysia chlorotica feeds on algae by sucking out the innards of filaments.