MEXICIO: A rare sea slug called a ‘Blue Dragon’ (Glaucus atlanticus) washed up on the shores of Queensland in Australia. This magnificent beauty, mostly found in tropical waters, looks like a creature straight from the Pokémon game but don’t let its good looks fool you.
The Blue Dragon packs a deadly venom for anyone who dares touch its body.
Blue Dragons float upside down on the surface of tropical waters and target blue bottle jellyfish. They ingest the poisonous cells of the jellyfish, which they then use on their own predators.
When fully grown, the shell-less Blue Dragon sea slug measures an inch long. It also has amazing camouflage abilities. Its beautiful blue underside enables it to blend with the water’s surface as it floats upside down. Underwater, its other silvery side aids in its survival.
Much like its prey, the Blue Dragon can cause very painful stings to humans. Upon spotting a Blue Dragon on the shore, people are advised not to touch it, despite the mesmerizing allure. The Blue Dragon’s beauty is best admired from a safe distance, just like these other ‘cute’ animals that pack a deadly punch.
