What is a blue dragon? Let’s get know it

Although the stunning “blue dragons” that cover the beaches resemble fantastical Pokemon and authorities advise tourists to avoid them.

Travelers beware poisonous blue dragons resembling Pokemon are washing up on Texas beaches. Numerous enigmatic creatures inhabit the ocean many of which people only rarely get to see. Let us introduce you to the species known as Glaucus atlanticus also known as blue sea slugs or blue dragons. They are a beautiful and venomous species that have been upsetting many springbreakers plans lately by washing up on Texas beaches.

Not precisely by chance, the “blue dragons” made their way there because blue sea slugs have a tendency to literally go with the flow. That’s not because of their carefree attitude, but rather because they aren’t particularly powerful. David Campbell is a marine biologist from Texas and the founder of the MarineBio Conservation Society. He said that they are very weak swimmers and go with where the wind and currents take them.

Wherever these blue creatures go and they float upside down. While sea slugs may be drifters and they aren’t particularly friendly which is why the sightings have prompted some Texas organizations such as the Harte Research Institute which is dedicated to Gulf of Mexico conservation to warn spring breakers and other curious beachgoers.

The blue, iridescent, bird-like organisms appear to be reminiscent of a Pokémon figure, according to both commenters and marine researchers. Even more fascinating than their appearance is the way blue sea slugs sting: Tunnell claims they remove the stinging cells from man-o-war tentacles and consume them. They then keep them in their feather appendages to utilize at a later time and releasing them when they feel angry.

Isabel McClelland is an environmental educator based in Maryland. Social media and the urge to share attractive photographs of wild creatures regularly cause individuals to make poor decisions about approaching wildlife that they know little about. She thinks that understanding where they get their toxins may deter people from handling them when it comes to blue sea slugs.

McClelland said that it also shines a light on the fact that an immense amount of people around the world do care and want to make a difference.