During the Easter holiday, Michoacán Civil Protection issued an alert to residents and tourists planning to visit the beaches due to the presence of the blue dragon mollusk.
Authorities reported the presence of the blue dragon on the beaches of Maruata and Boca Apiza, prompting the activation of the purple flag, which indicates the presence of dangerous marine life.
Therefore, the public was advised to exercise caution when approaching these beaches to avoid contact with this marine species. They also requested that the emergency number 911 be called in case of any situation requiring assistance.
It is small, measuring only three or four centimeters, and is visually striking and even beautiful. It has bright blue, white, and silver colors, jumps in the water, and is one of the mollusks most feared by tourists.
The blue dragon, Glaucus atlanticus, is a pelagic nudibranch, meaning it typically lives in open waters in the mid-water and shallow areas, avoiding the seabed and the shoreline.
It typically inhabits temperate and tropical waters, floats on the surface, and moves easily with ocean currents.
The blue dragon’s sting is highly toxic, mainly due to its diet. It consumes highly venomous jellyfish, which causes the blue dragon to share this characteristic, storing their toxins and using them as a defense mechanism.
For this reason, skin contact causes stings that can be serious for people, who are often drawn in by its attractive appearance and touch it without realizing the potential harm.
The sting of this beautiful mollusk usually causes intense, sharp pain, very similar to a burn. It also closely resembles a jellyfish sting.
The main symptoms include:
Intense pain and burning
Redness, hives, itching, and even blisters
Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headache
In some more severe cases, particularly in sensitive individuals, a severe allergic reaction, difficulty breathing, and even tachycardia may occur.
This is why Mexican authorities warn tourists when this species is detected on the shores of beaches, as it can pose a risk to families vacationing in these areas.
Source: infobae
