The Lanzarote Safety and Emergency Consortium has reported that La Garita beach, in Arrieta (Haría), has reopened to the public on the morning of this Wednesday. This coastal area had to be closed and swimming discouraged on the morning of last Tuesday due to the appearance of blue dragons (Glaucus atlanticus), a venomous marine species.
The appearance of several specimens of blue dragons on La Garita beach adds to the sighting two weeks ago of more specimens on Famara beach, which also led to its closure.
The blue dragon, also known as the Atlantic slug, is a venomous species that lives in tropical and temperate waters of the planet.
According to the informative website of the Government of the Canary Islands, the blue dragon is a venomous species that produces irritations upon contact, similar to those caused by a jellyfish. This mollusk displays a blue and silver color and can reach up to four centimeters in length. It is hermaphroditic, meaning it has male and female sexual organs, although it cannot self-fertilize and must mate with another specimen to reproduce.
