Seven stunning slippery creatures made a surprise appearance along the shore of Keelung on Wednesday. However, experts issue a strong warning – despite their whimsical appearance, these spectacular creatures shouldn't be touched as they carry potent toxins.
Video script:
Early morning, a crowd gathers along the coastline in Keelung, eager to catch a glimpse of a blue dragon sea slug. The creatures are quite the spectacle, growing up to only three centimeters long with vibrant blue bodies adorned with what looks like outstretched wings. This brightly colored nudibranch has a reputation as the “most beautiful killer in the ocean”.
One excited observer said it is rare to see these creatures in northern Taiwan, and because he had some free time today, he rushed over immediately.
The blue dragon is typically found in tropical regions, so to spot so many in the subtropical climate of northern Taiwan is a rarity. However, these blue dragons didn’t come alone. They were accompanied by the blue button, with its transparent body and blue outer ring, and the Portuguese man o' war, both of which are poisonous and part of the sea slug's diet. And that’s not all. The violet sea snail also made an appearance.
Chen Li-shu (陳麗淑) of the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology explained that the blue dragon accumulates the stinging cells of the jellyfish it consumes, and stores them in concentrated doses, making it much more venomous than its prey.
As observers marvel at these cute creatures’ squirming movements and enchanting colors, experts strongly advise against succumbing to the allure of their beauty and emphasize the importance of admiring them from a safe distance.