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Rare ‘Blue Dragons’ Pose Sting Risks to Spring Break Beachgoers in Texas
About 20 blue dragon sea slugs were found along a Texas beach, pushed ashore by strong winds, and can deliver a sting more painful than Portuguese man-o'-war, researchers said.
- On Tuesday, The Harte Research Institute warned beachgoers about rare blue dragon sea slugs washing up on Texas shores after recently discovering about 20 of the creatures along a short stretch of beach.
- Strong onshore winds push these open-ocean drifters toward the coast, where the creatures are rarely seen; they typically float in the open ocean rather than near land.
- Despite their beauty, blue dragons deliver a painful sting by concentrating stinging cells from the Portuguese man-o-war they consume; Scientists say this concentrated sting can be more painful than the jellyfish itself.
- Researchers urged the public on Facebook not to touch the animals, even when washed up on the sand, advising beachgoers to simply take a photograph and leave the creatures alone.
- Oceanographers refer to this group as the Blue Wave, which includes other surface drifters like purple sea snails and By-the-wind sailors; all spend their entire lives on the ocean surface.
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abc10 Sacramento+4 Reposted by 4 other sources
Rare ‘blue dragons’ pose sting risks to spring break beachgoers in Texas
Spring breakers heading to Texas beaches may spot rare “blue dragons,” tiny ocean slugs with beautiful colors. But their sting can be painful, so admire from afar.
·Sacramento, United States
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