The blue dragon, scientifically known as Glaucus atlanticus, is a visually striking sea slug found in marine environments. This mollusk typically measures around 3 centimeters (1.2 inches). Its appearance features a flattened, tapering body with six appendages that branch into finger-like cerata, giving it a distinctive look. The creature is adorned with vibrant dark and pale blue coloration on its ventral side and silvery-grey on its dorsal side.
Understanding Their Toxicity
Blue dragons are venomous and can deliver a potent sting, despite their small size. They do not produce their own venom; instead, they acquire it by consuming other venomous marine organisms. They store stinging cells from their prey, making them capable of a significant sting to humans. The bright blue and silver coloration of the blue dragon serves as a warning, signaling danger to predators.
How Blue Dragons Acquire Their Sting
The blue dragon’s venomous capability stems from its specialized diet, primarily consisting of venomous siphonophores such as the Portuguese Man O’ War (Physalia physalis). When feeding, the blue dragon ingests the stinging cells, called nematocysts, from its prey without triggering their discharge. These undischarged stinging cells are then sorted and transported to specialized sacs, known as cnidosacs, located at the tips of the blue dragon’s cerata. This process allows the blue dragon to concentrate the venom, potentially making its own sting more potent than that of its prey.
Symptoms and First Aid After a Sting
A sting from a blue dragon can cause immediate burning pain, itching, and red, whip-like welts; more severe reactions include nausea, vomiting, allergic contact dermatitis, and localized swelling. If stung, carefully remove any visible stingers, if present, without using bare hands. The affected area should be rinsed with saltwater, not freshwater, as freshwater can cause remaining nematocysts to discharge more venom. Applying hot water, as hot as tolerable (around 43-45°C or 110-113°F), to the sting site for 20-90 minutes can help alleviate pain by denaturing the venom. For severe reactions, persistent symptoms, or allergic responses, seeking medical attention is advised.
Where Blue Dragons Are Found
Blue dragons are pelagic creatures, meaning they inhabit the open ocean. They are found globally in tropical and temperate waters across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. These sea slugs float upside down on the ocean’s surface, aided by a gas-filled sac in their stomach. While they drift with ocean currents and winds, strong winds and currents, particularly after storms, can wash them ashore on beaches. This is often how human encounters occur, especially in regions like the Gulf Coast of the U.S. and Australian beaches.