Not every animal that looks cute and beautiful is harmless, and the blue dragon is one of those. This creature, also known as Glaucus atlanticus, might have a name that resembles those fantasy dragons, but the blue dragon doesn’t breathe fire nor flies. What makes it look like a fantasy creature is its colors and bright appearance.
Why are we talking about the blue dragon? Because it was recently found in Racó de Mar, Valencia (Spain), which is strange since this animal is not commonly seen in this area. So, let’s find out more about the blue dragon and why it appeared in Valencia.
A small, but dangerous animal in the sea
It’s true it only measures between 3 and 5 cm, the blue dragon is more dangerous than it looks like. It feeds on venomous jellyfish like the Portuguese man-of-war, but the most important part is that it keeps its venom in its own body. This means if you touch the blue dragon, you can feel pain, itching, or even have an allergic reaction. That’s why you should keep your distance from it and don’t be fooled by its beautiful appearance.
Authorities warning
Local authorities in Canet d’en Berenguer made it very clear that people should be careful and warn the local police of lifeguards in case they see a blue dragon. Remember you aren’t the one in charge of dealing with this animal, authorities are!
To make sure most people knew about it, local authorities posted a picture of the blue dragon on their social media , so that everybody who saw it could recognize it on the beach.
The blue dragon
Let’s describe it a bit, shall we? We already mentioned how small it is, but what stands out the most is its appearance. In its upper part you will see a metallic blue color and on the bottom it’s silver. How beautiful, right? Not only is it eye-catching, but also it’s very useful to camouflage since the blue is similar to the color of the sea and the silver looks like the sun reflecting on the surface.
Its presence in the Mediterranean Sea
The common thing is to find the blue dragon in warm or tropical water, but it was recently found several times in the Mediterranean Sea. However, Valencia is not the only place where the blue dragon was found, it was also seen in the Famara beach, Lanzarote. This proves the animal has appeared in different points of Spain, and the one found in Valencia is not an isolated case.
This seems to be related to the increasing temperatures of water and the arrival of uncommon currents. These changes are making rare species appear in places where they didn’t live before, something scientists relate to climate change effects.
Respect marine wildlife
We as humans have many temptations, so many people would like to get closer to the blue dragon to see it close-up or even take a picture to show it to their friends. However, the most important thing is to keep your distance and respecting marine wildlife space is crucial for our safety and its conservation. After all, the beach isn’t just ours to enjoy; it’s also home to countless incredible species.
So, next time you’re by the sea, remember that not every beautiful creature is safe to touch. The blue dragon is living proof that the ocean hides wonders that are as dangerous as they are breathtaking. If you ever spot one, take a moment to admire its dazzling colors, but keep your hands to yourself. Have you ever found a surprising marine creature like the blue dragon when swimming in the sea?