BUXTON, N.C. (WAVY) — Venomous sea slugs have been spotted in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, according to Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Known as blue sea dragons, these slugs live in the ocean and occasionally get washed ashore by strong winds.
Seashore advises visitors to admire the creatures from a safe distance and to be cautious that more could be nearby because they can travel in groups.
The slugs are only 1-inch long and primarily feed on the highly-venomous Portuguese man o’ war, a sea animal closely related to jellyfish. The blue sea dragons are capable of storing the man o’ war’s venom for their own defense.
It should be noted that blue sea dragons remain venomous even after they are dead.
If you’ve spotted these creatures on Outer Banks beaches recently, let NewsNation affiliate WAVY know. You can share your photos and video at this link.