Venomous "Blue Dragons" wash ashore, posing risks to beachgoers

Jace Tunnell, Director of Engagement at the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, reported that "blue dragons", as these creatures are commonly known, are once again being seen on the beaches of Texas. However, they remain a rare find.

Although these tiny, approximately 2.5 cm creatures, which are actually sea slugs known scientifically as Glaucus atlanticus, may look cute and innocent, they are much more dangerous than they appear. Tunnell warns that the venom of the "blue dragon" is three to five times stronger than that of the potentially lethal Portuguese man o' war, a highly venomous species of siphonophore.

American wildlife researchers warn that a sting from the "blue dragon" is excruciatingly painful and can last for an entire hour. The effects of the sting can also include nausea and vomiting.

– It's the most painful thing you can imagine. You feel as though knives are being stabbed into you – said TikToker Julian Obayd in an interview with Inside Edition. He discovered this firsthand while recording videos featuring these creatures.

"Blue dragons" float on the surface of the ocean, feeding on the toxins of the Portuguese man o' war and other jellyfish-like organisms. When southeast winds strengthen in the spring, the slugs wash up on shore, potentially releasing dangerous toxins on unsuspecting beachgoers.

Glaucus atlanticus live in the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific, and Indian Ocean, but according to American Oceans, a group of scientists aiming to educate the public on marine species, their habitats are expanding. Such examples can be found on the eastern and southern coasts of the Republic of South Africa, in European waters, near Mozambique, and off the eastern coast of Australia – the group notes on their website.

Source: NBC News, Inside Edition, gulflife.com, americanoceans.org