The blue dragon or Glaucus atlanticus has gone from being an almost unknown inhabitant of open seas to becoming the protagonist of summer news in Spanish beaches. Over the last few weeks, different points along the coast have been the scene of sightings of this small marine mollusk with bright blue tones, generating both astonishment among bathers and reasonable concern about its potential danger.
The presence of several specimens on beaches of the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean has led authorities to take preventive measures, raising red flags and displaying information signs in the face of the potential threat of these animals, whose poison comes from its prey and can cause mild discomfort to severe reactions in sensitive humans.
What is the blue dragon really?
This small nudibranch, with a length ranging from three and five centimeters, is distinguished by its spectacular silver-blue coloration and by six branched appendages that simulate wings. Although it usually lives in open waters of warm or temperate seas - such as the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans - the episodes of arrival on the Spanish coasts are still considered unusual, especially outside of summer.
The blue dragon has been documented on beaches in the Canary Islands such as Famara, where the rescuers have come to the rescue after the appearance of several specimens. There, the red flag waves in the sand while Emergency teams inspect the area looking for more individuals and city councils post notices for residents and tourists.
Also in places along the Mediterranean - such as La Mata beach in Torrevieja or Canet de Berenguer (Valencia) - there have been recently detected specimens of this mollusk, warning about the convenience of not handling them despite their striking appearance.
Poison: How to Get It and What Risks It Entails
glaucus atlanticus It does not produce its own poison, but acquires it by feeding on jellyfish and cnidarians, especially the Portuguese man-of-war. This process consists of store nematocysts in your body —stinging cells— ingested from their prey, which allows them to use this powerful defensive mechanism against potential predators.
While the Scientific documentation on its effects on humans is still limited., it is known that direct contact can provoke painful reactions similar to those caused by jellyfish themselves: itching, redness, swelling and even blisters. In specific cases - such as in people with sensitivity to marine poisons - the Exposure may result in vomiting, respiratory distress, or severe allergic reactions, which justifies the warning not to touch them and to notify health services if accidental contact occurs.
It also highlights that, due to its diet, the blue dragon can accumulate a higher concentration of toxins in their appendages compared to that of jellyfish themselves, a fact that supports the caution of official recommendations.
Recent sightings and authorities' response
The most media-covered event took place in the Famara beach, in Lanzarote, where the appearance of several specimens led to a temporary ban on bathing. Lanzarote Emergency Consortium He pointed out the likelihood of there being more blue dragons in the area, and priority was given to informing the public through posters and direct notices.
A similar situation occurred on the Valencian coast when in Canet de Berenguer detected a specimen near the dunes. The local council, although recognizing that these animals normally live far from the coast and that the risk of accident is low, asked to avoid contact and maintained active surveillance, associating the arrival of this species with the effects of recent storms and the rising sea temperature.
In the southern Mediterranean, beaches such as the cove of Las Estacas (Orihuela) and La Mata (Torrevieja) were the stars findings that the bathers themselves reported to lifeguardsThese observations have been described by scientists as rare and have served to underscore the importance of citizen collaboration in the early detection of potentially dangerous marine species.
Recommendations and possible causes of the increase in sightings
The Emergency services and city councils insist In that, when blue dragons appear on the shore or in natural pools, the most important thing is do not touch them under any circumstances and notify experts so they can safely remove them. If contact occurs, it is advisable to seek medical attention immediately, especially if symptoms such as severe pain, itching, or signs of an allergic reaction appear.
Regarding the causes of this phenomenon, some researchers associate the increased frequency of sightings due to global warming and the rising temperature of the marine zone. This environmental change could be leading to the occasional arrival of exotic species like the blue dragon at latitudes where they were previously very rare.
Recent experience on Spanish beaches highlights the need for inform the population correctly and activate protocols in the presence of potentially dangerous marine fauna, without giving in to unjustified alarmism, but without underestimating the risk, especially in contexts of mass bathing and tourism.
The blue dragon, despite its unique beauty and rarity on our beaches, remains a exotic element whose presence should not be underestimatedThe measures adopted by the authorities and citizen collaboration are proving key to reducing potential incidents, especially at a time when climate change appears to be reshaping the marine fauna landscape along the entire Spanish coast.
