Glaucus atlanticus

Glaucus atlanticus (common names include the blue sea dragon, sea swallow, blue angel, blue glaucus, dragon slug, blue dragon, blue sea slug, and blue ocean slug) is a species of sea slug in the family Glaucidae. These sea slugs live in the pelagic zone (open ocean), where they float upside-down by using the surface tension of the water to stay afloat. In addition, they have a gas bubble in their stomach that makes it easier for them to float. They are carried along by the winds and ocean currents. G. atlanticus makes use of countershading; the blue side of their bodies faces upwards, blending in with the blue of the water. The silver-grey dorsal side of the sea slug faces downwards, blending in with the sunlight shining through the ocean's surface when viewed from below the surface of the water. G. atlanticus feeds on other pelagic creatures, including the Portuguese man o' war and other venomous siphonophores. This sea slug stores stinging nematocysts from the siphonophores within its own tissues as defence against predators. Humans handling the slug may receive a very painful and potentially dangerous sting.