A mouse, but not as you know it. This species’ genus name - Aphrodita - is derived from the Ancient Greek goddess of love due to the fact that it is a hermaphroditic creature, meaning it possesses functional reproductive organs of both the male and female sexes. Although the sea mouse looks grey and unremarkable when washed up on shore - recent sightings have occurred along the Kent coast - in the water its spines or setae are iridescent to ward off potential predators, changing from deep red to electric green-blue hues when the light shines on them.