Beachgoer stunned as rarely seen, painful creatures wash ashore at tourist hotspot
The creatures themselves are not venomous but they make good use of their prey's venom to provide potentially painful encounters.
Dog walkers are on high alert after rarely seen "venomous" sea creatures washed ashore at an off-leash Aussie beach over the weekend. Blue dragons were spotted along the shoreline at Redhead Beach in Lake Macquarie, NSW, a popular Christmas holiday destination.
Making contact with the usually elusive marine animals can pose health risks to dogs as well as their owners.
The tiny sea slugs were spotted peaking out of the sand, and although they look fairly unthreatening at a glance, they can provide a seriously painful encounter. The sea creatures actually store up venom from blue bottles they ingest to then inflict painful stings that cause nausea and vomiting.
Due to their small size, growing up to only three centimetres in length, the risk can often be overlooked by beachgoers. And their slightly blue, translucent skin makes them masters of disguise in the water, meaning swimmers often only realise they're there when it's too late.
Last year, beachgoer Julian Obayd, 22, was hospitalised after he attempted to rescue dozens of blue dragons at a Gold Coast beach and has since urged others to steer clear of them.
What causes blue dragons to wash ashore on Aussie beaches?
The sea slugs usually live in the open ocean and are rarely seen due to their small size and translucent appearance. They wash ashore when they swallow air bubbles, forcing them to be at the mercy of the weather and waves.
Occasionally, they are recorded in large numbers on Aussie shorelines when strong winds leave them beached. This most commonly occurs in NSW and Queensland.
Hundreds were spotted last month at Coolangatta Beach on the Gold Coast and a marine biologist told Yahoo News that a specific type of wind will push the "absolutely amazing little critters" to shore.
"Persistent moderate northeast winds are the culprit," University of the Sunshine Coast Professor David Schoeman explained.
What should I do if I'm stung by a blue dragon?
Instructions on what to do if someone is stung by a blue dragon are similar to the first aid advised after a bluebottle sting, Dr Jaz Lawres from Surf Living Saving Australia told Yahoo News previously.
Don't rub the sting area.
Rinse the area with seawater — not freshwater.
Place the sting area in tolerably hot water — the patient will ideally have the sting area in the hot water for 20 minutes.
If hot water is not available or it does not relief the pain, apply cold packs or ice in a dry plastic bag.
Seek medical assistance if symptoms persist.
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