Blue Sea Dragon

Blue Sea Dragon Latest News

Recently, several beaches in Spain were forced to shut down after an unusual invasion of blue sea dragons.

About Blue Sea Dragon

• The blue dragon (Glaucus atlanticus) is a type of mollusk known as a nudibranch.
• They also are known as blue sea slugs, blue angels, and sea swallows. 
• Distribution: It can be found drifting on the surface of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans in temperate and tropical waters.
• They are hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs.

‹ ›

Diet of Blue Sea Dragon

• They feed on venomous siphonophores such as the Portuguese man-o-war and bluebottle, which also occur in ocean surface waters.
• When a blue sea dragon consumes its venomous prey, it doesn’t just digest the toxins. Instead, through a complex biological process, it transports the stinging cells or nematocysts from its digestive system to specialised finger-like projections called cerata on its back and sides.
• They incorporate these cells into multiple finger-like structures protruding from their body which provides them with a potent form of protection from predators.
• The slug isn’t venomous all on its own, however, it stores the stinging nematocysts created by the creatures on which it feeds.

How does the Blue Sea Dragon Affect Humans?

• Its sting can cause problems, especially to children and elderly.
• One sting from this little creature can lead to nausea, pain, vomiting, acute allergic contact dermatitis, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Source: IE