Blue dragons of the sea

Blue sea dragons or known as blue sea slugs live in the open ocean (the pelagic zone^*), where they float upside-down using the surface tension of the water to stay afloat. 

Blue dragon or sea slug?

Known as Blue glaucus or the scientific name Glaucus marginatus this sea creature is also known as the blue sea dragon, sea swallow, blue angel, dragon slug, blue dragon, blue sea slug, and blue ocean slug. 

Blue sea dragons are carried along by the winds and ocean currents. The fact that they are so small (approx. 2-3cm) makes them prone to washing up during storms and strong onshore winds. 

Sea dragons feed on other marine creatures that inhabit the surface known as pelagic creatures*, including the Portuguese man o' war and other venomous siphonophores** (a group of animals closely related to jellyfish). Sea slug stores stinging nematocysts*** from the siphonophores within its own tissues as defence against predators. 

Look but don't touch

Do not touch the slug as you may receive a very painful and potentially dangerous sting. 

If you see any on the beach, please leave them where they are as they should wash out with the next tide.

Love where we live and co-exist with nature in our wildlife friendly biosphere with these tips:

• stay on the designated walkway and out of the dunes and bush
• keep your dogs on a lead and pick up after them
• bin your rubbish to keep our Sunshine Coast clean and litter free.

_{Source Macquarie Dictionary:} 

_{*Pelagic - living at or near the surface of the ocean, far from land, as certain animals or plants.}

_{**Siphonophores - a member of the Cnidaria, formerly known as the Coelenterata, a phylum of invertebrate animals comprising the jellyfish, sea anemones, and corals.}

_{***Nematocysts - an organ of offence and defence peculiar to cnidarians, consisting of a minute capsule containing a thread capable of being ejected and of causing a sting.}