They might expect like aliens , but these bizarre nautical animal are actually a character of nudibranch , also cognize assea slugs . Usually found bobbing along in the open sea , a common on the Texas coastline has report that there has been an unusual rush in sightings of these habitual drifters . In response to the manifestly blasphemous dragon bloom , thePadre Island National Seashorepark is inspire visitor to approach them with caution as the resourceful digestion cognitive process of these prick sea slug makes them a danger to curious hands .
The Padre Island National Seashore ( PINS ) preserves the longest unexploited barrier island in the world , situated in the Coastal Bend orbit of southern Texas . protect by the government , it ’s home to legion rare , threatened , and endanger metal money . While blue dragons are not unheard of on the parking area ’s shores , fit in to PINS functionary they are a rare find , and sighting of the bizarre tiny blue sea slug have been on the rise .
Glaucus atlanticus , also do it as blue dragon or , our personal favorite , “ the flying lizard slug ” , are an strange mintage of nudibranch whose threat level increases base on their recent dietetical habit . fond to the deadly Portuguese man - o - warfare jellyfish , as well as other venomoussiphonophores , the vibrant sea slugs are able to retain thestinging nematocystsfrom their repast and deploy them along their “ fingers ” which they use when hunting . For this understanding , the sting of a aristocratical dragon can actually be as severe as that of a Portuguese human race - o - war , proving very sore and even serious to world despite their small size of it ( 3 centimeters ) . mutual symptoms admit nausea , pain , and vomiting as well as localized swelling and a blizzard .
They usually ramble out in the open ocean , bobbing along upside - down on the piddle ’s surface using their coloration as a anatomy of countershading . The deeper blue side sits on the surface leave the sea slugs to blend in with the ocean from above while the silvery side point to the seafloor , eliminating its silhouette against the daylight clamber down .
“ If you see a flying lizard in the park , be astounded as they are a uncommon find , ” say PINS in a Facebook post , “ But also keep your space ! ”
