BUXTON, N.C. (WAVY) — Venomous sea slugs have been spotted on the 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.
This video, from WAVY viewer Dakota Deneen, was taken on the beach in Nags Head, near Milepost 14 on Sept. 15.
The slugs grow to only about one-inch long and primarily feed on the highly-venomous Portuguese man o’ war jellyfish. They are capable of storing the jellyfish venom for their own defense.
It should be noted that blue sea dragons remain venomous even after they are dead.
Several WAVY 10 viewers have shared images of the slug, which can be found below:
If you’ve spotted these creatures on Outer Banks beaches recently, please let us know. You can share your photos and video at this link.
