What IS This Blue Sea Creature?

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Have you ever seen a blue sea creature like this one? The oceans of the world are home to some unusual creatures, and few compare to the likes of this sea slug. So, let’s dive a little deeper into what this animal is, where it lives, and some other basic facts surrounding this incredible animal.

What Is This Blue Sea Creature?

This little blue sea creature is a Glaucus atlanticus, or blue dragon as some people call it. It is a sea slug and curiously floats by utilizing the surface tension of the water to maintain contact. The coloration of this unusual creature is primarily for camouflage. The shade of blue blends in quite well with the ocean while the silvery gray underside reflects sunlight.

Glaucus Atlanticus Habitats

The blue dragon lives in the open ocean, with some scientists believing they are found throughout the world. Historically, this blue sea creature has been noted in the Azores as well as off the coasts of Peru and India. They have a fairly large range, with some specimens washing ashore along the Texas coastline in more recent times.

Blue Dragon Eating Habits

The Glaucus atlanticus is a carnivore by nature, preying primarily on siphonophores like the Portuguese man o’ war. One notable animal it preys upon is the highly venomous Portuguese man o’ war. In captivity, they have been known to occasionally attack and consume other members of the same species.
Interestingly, when consuming chunks of venomous jellyfish, it stores the venom for later use, primarily to subdue other prey.

What’s Happening in the Video?

While this blue sea creature appears to be writhing in pain, it’s actually just moving around. The cerata, or feather-like protrusions from the body, move easily and gracefully. The creature itself seems to just be swimming around, trying to orient itself given the lack of natural light.

Other Glaucus Atlanticus Behaviors

This blue sea creature, despite its small size, is rather aggressive by nature. If you encounter one of these washed up on the beach, avoid it. There is no telling if the Glaucus atlanticus is storing venom, and they will sting with the slightest provocation. Additionally, like most sea slugs, the blue dragon has both male and female reproductive organs. When mating, each of the mating pairs can lay eggs separately, with all offspring being viable.

Conclusion

This curious blue sea creature has a formidable sting and some rather curious behaviors out in the wild. Just remember, if you see one of these remarkable blue dragons, just look at it rather than try to pick it up and handle it.