31-8-2023 (BANGKOK) A remarkable discovery was made on Karon Beach in Phuket as a blue dragon, a small yet highly venomous type of sea slug, was found. This rare sighting was shared on the Monsoongarbage Thailand Facebook page.
Blue dragons (Glaucus atlanticus) are typically inhabitants of the open sea and are rarely spotted in coastal regions. Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a lecturer at Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Fisheries, provided insights about these elusive creatures in response to inquiries from the Facebook page administrators.
Thon explained that the appearance of a blue dragon on Phuket’s shores might be attributed to strong sea waves, which could have swept the creature ashore. These remarkable sea slugs are known for their stunning blue appearance and unique characteristics.
The blue dragon, scientifically known as Glaucus atlanticus, belongs to a category of mollusks called nudibranchs or sea slugs. They have a distinctive feeding habit, preying on other marine organisms, including the Portuguese man o’ war and other venomous siphonophores. What makes them even more fascinating is their ability to store stinging nematocysts from these creatures within their own tissues, using them as a defensive mechanism against predators.
Despite their small size, rarely exceeding 4 centimeters in length, blue dragons possess highly potent venom. A single sting can cause a range of symptoms, including nausea, pain, vomiting, acute contact dermatitis, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
These unique sea slugs are not confined to a specific region; they can be found on the surface of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, inhabiting temperate and tropical waters across the globe.
In the unfortunate event of encountering a blue dragon and suffering a sting, individuals are advised to apply vinegar to the affected area, which serves as a remedy similar to treating jellyfish stings.
