The strange “Green Dragon” sea slug

They are usually seen bobbing in the ocean, but a park on the Texas coast has reported that in It’s unusual to see these drifters.

In response to the bloom of these green dragons, the National Seashore Padre Island is urging visitors to approach them with caution because their flexible digestive process makes them a hazard to curious hands.

Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) preserves the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world located in the Coastal Bend area of ​​southern Texas. Protected by the (US) Government, this is the home of many rare and threatened species.

Although not This blue dragon has never been seen on the park’s shoreline according to PINS officials they are quite rare sightings of these strange tiny blue sea slugs are becoming more common.

< p style=”text-align:justify”>Glaucus atlanticus also known as the green dragon or “dragon slug” is an unusual and increasingly threatened species of sea slug due to its close eating habits. here they are.

Favoring the deadly Portuguese Warrior jellyfish as well as other venomous Siphonophores these brilliant sea slugs can keep Stinging cells cause pain from meals and spread these cells along their “fingers” – something they often use when hunting.

For this reason, the blue dragon’s sting can be truly as severe as that caused by the Portuguese Warrior jellyfish, causing pain and even danger to humans despite its small size. them (only about three centimeters). Common symptoms include painful nausea and vomiting as well as local swelling and rash.

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They often drift offshore, floating upside down on the water surface thanks to their contrasting colors. The darker blue side on top allows these sea slugs to blend in with the ocean when viewed from above while the silver side facing the sea floor helps eliminate their shadow when daylight hits.< /p>

If you see a dragon in this park you should be surprised because they are also rare. However, remember to keep your distance from them.

Ngoc Anh 

According to IFL Science