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6. The Blue Dragon: A Stunning Sea Slug with Toxic Defenses
The blue dragon (Glaucus atlanticus), a breathtaking sea slug, drifts on warm ocean surfaces. Though tiny at under 3 cm (1.2 inches) and delicate-looking, it's a fierce predator with a deadly defense.
Its vivid blue hue acts as camouflage, merging with the ocean from above and depths from below. It hunts venomous prey like the Portuguese man o’ war, eating them and storing their stinging cells, called nematocysts, for its own use. When threatened, it deploys this stolen venom to ward off attackers.
Its flat body aids effortless floating, while cerata appendages assist movement and defense. Harnessing prey venom makes it a mesmerizing yet dangerous marine marvel. Pollution and climate change threaten it, underscoring the need for ocean conservation.
