The blue dragon, also known as the blue sea slug and scientifically named Glaucus Atlanticus, resembles a decorative brooch.
They spend most of their lives floating in the blue waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. The reason they can float on the water’s surface is due to the air-filled sacs beneath their bellies.
Despite having a relatively ‘easy’ life, this creature is not entirely harmless. This invertebrate, which measures only 3 cm long, has a bizarre diet. It feeds on highly toxic animals like jellyfish, especially the Portuguese Man-O’-War, a species notorious for its lethal stings that cause excruciating pain.
Glaucus can consume this jellyfish without any pain, as its skin contains discs that act as barriers and secrete mucus to protect the blue dragon from the effects of these stings.
Not only can it protect itself from toxins, but it can also store this venom for later use. The venom is ‘stored’ in the ‘fingers’ attached to its body. The blue dragon has about 84 such ‘fingers’.
When food is scarce, it can consume anything to survive. Scientists believe that the blue dragon Glaucus is even more venomous than the Man-O’-War jellyfish.
This species can deceive predators through camouflage. Their bodies are patterned with bright and dark blue colors to help them blend in while floating on ocean waves.
Although belonging to the mollusk family, this species is completely shell-less. It was first discovered in the 17th century.
The blue dragon is a hermaphrodite. During mating, both individuals lay eggs. They lay their eggs on floating debris in the sea or on the remains of their prey.
When lifted out of the water, this species tends to curl up until it returns to the aquatic environment.
