Poisonous "blue dragons" are spotted on the beaches of Texas: what makes them dangerous
Scientists warn that a poisonous marine creature, rarely seen in the United States, has spread en masse to Texas beaches.
Marine biologists have spotted these dangerous "blue dragons," a type of sea slug, along North Padre Island, south of Corpus Christi, Texas, as reported by the Daily Mail.
One local research institute has cautioned its followers on social media by sharing photos of a researcher's sighting of the toxic blue creature.
According to the institute, "if you touch this creature, it can release stinging cells with more powerful stingers than the Portuguese man o' war (killer jellyfish)."
Despite their bright blue hues, scientists have warned that toxic dragons are difficult to spot.
The sea slug is typically less than one inch long, and its colorful coloration blends in with both the blue of the ocean and the sky, making it a "master of camouflage," according to Australian marine ecologist Dr. Steve Smith.
"If someone is stung by a blue dragon, it will cause intense pain for about an hour. People may feel nauseous and as if needles are scratching their skin," the expert explained.