Blue dragons
Why in news ?
Recently, blue dragons (Glaucus atlanticus) have been spotted on the beach and in waters near the shore in Besant Nagar in Chennai.
About the Blue dragons:
- The blue dragon (Glaucus atlanticus) is a type of mollusc known as a nudibranch.
- They also are known as blue sea slugs, blue angels, and sea swallows.
- It rarely grows larger than three centimetres long.
- An air bubble stored in its stomach keeps the blue dragon afloat.
- Distribution: It can be found drifting on the surface of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans in temperate and tropical waters.
Features of Blue Dragon
- This underwater predator possessed distinct features that made easy categorization challenging.
- According to experts, the animal featured a crocodile-like head and large paddle-shaped flippers.
- Its back flippers were larger than its front flippers.
- This predator possessed nearly binocular vision, making it a deadly hunter.
- More than five feet long, this aquatic creature also featured a dorsal fin similar to the great white shark.
Source – The hindu
