If you were strolling along Muizenberg Beach this morning, you might have spotted something that looks less like a local resident and more like a visitor from another planet. These tiny, electric-blue creatures are Blue Dragon sea slugs (Glaucus atlanticus), and while they are undeniably beautiful, experts warn that they pack a punch far above their weight class.
The “Blue Fleet” Arrives
The arrival of these “dragons” isn’t a planned visit. Known as the “Blue Fleet,” these surface-dwelling mollusks drift upside-down across the open ocean, carried entirely by winds and currents. When the summer heat meets our notorious South-Easterly winds, they often find themselves stranded on the Cape shoreline.
A Master of Camouflage and Theft
What makes the Blue Dragon a lifestyle “influencer” of the marine world is its clever use of colour:
The Silver Lining: Their silvery side faces down toward the deep ocean, blending with the bright sky to hide from fish below.
The Electric Blue: Their vibrant blue side faces up, blending with the ocean surface to hide from birds above.
But don’t let the “Blue Angel” nickname fool you. These slugs are venomous thieves. They feed on Portuguese man-o’-wars (bloublasies) and actually harvest their prey’s stinging cells, storing them in their own wing-like limbs to use as a concentrated weapon.
Small Size, Serious Sting
Measuring under 3 cm, these creatures are easy to miss but impossible to forget if you touch one.
The Threat: They remain extremely venomous even after they have washed up and died.
The Reaction: A sting causes immediate, intense pain, swelling, and in some cases, nausea.
The Remedy: If you are “zapped,” rinse with seawater only (fresh water can make it worse) and soak the area in hot water.
Look, Don’t Touch
Local authorities, including Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews, confirmed that teams have been monitoring the Muizenberg coastline after the Deep South Report (DSR) first documented the sightings. While the SPCA reminds pet owners to keep curious dogs away from the waterline, beachgoers are encouraged to admire these rare visitors from a safe distance.
They are a fleeting, fascinating reminder of the wild wonders that live just beyond our surf—just be sure to keep your hands in your pockets while you marvel at them.
