What are these creatures? Aug 26, 2021

What are these creatures?

No, this isn"t a still image from a sci-fi space opera. We"re offshore of Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia, watching a Glaucus atlanticus, aka "sea swallow" or "blue sea dragon," snack on the poisonous tentacles of a Porpita porpita, aka "blue button." At the tips of the blue button"s tentacles are stinging cells called nematocysts, but the venom doesn"t deter the sea swallow. Instead, once the sea swallow ingests the blue button"s poison, it stores the venom in the tips of its own feather-like fingers called papillae. Would-be predators should think twice before biting the sea swallow. The poison concentrated in its papillae can kill a predator in seconds. If you come across either of these creatures washed ashore, don"t touch! While the stings aren"t deadly to humans, they can cause skin irritation.

© Gary Bell/Minden Pictures

palette

Today in History

Aug 26, 2018From pirate port to nature preserve
Aug 26, 2019Classical music takes center stage
Aug 26, 2020Spotted Lake emerges
Aug 26, 2022Kiteboarding and windsurfing in Croatia
Aug 26, 2023Museum Night in Berlin
Aug 26, 2024Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Aug 26, 2025Trullo buildings in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy
Aug 26, 2026Auroras over Kirkjufell, Iceland

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jan 3, 2020 Field of Light at Sensorio by Bruce Munro
May 9, 2020Here’s looking at you, teachers
Oct 22, 2020Moving as one
May 30, 2024Everglades National Park marks 90 years
Nov 5, 2021Pont Rouge
Jul 11, 2022World Population Day
Nov 26, 2019Staring down winter
Aug 1, 2025Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Dec 19, 2025Bormio, Lombardy, Italy
Nov 25, 2024Masai giraffes in Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Sep 12, 2019Astrotourism at its finest
Sep 4, 2024Dusky eagle-owls, Pakistan
Apr 19, 2020Step into the dark
Aug 3, 2022Red-necked grebes during breeding season
Mar 23, 2024World Meteorological Day
Jun 24, 2024Kelimutu, Flores, Indonesia
Feb 26, 2020 The Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic
Jan 8, 2025National Take the Stairs Day
Oct 4, 2025World Space Week
Mar 1, 2024Womens History Month
Feb 10, 2022The Old City of Bern
Mar 16, 2021Why does this panda cub look so happy?
Nov 17, 2022National Take a Hike Day
Dec 17, 2023Bohemian waxwings in Canada
Feb 10, 2019Groovy!
Apr 27, 2018National Park Week: Yosemite National Park, California
Jun 4, 2025The beach at Cala Luna, Sardinia, Italy
Oct 31, 2023Halloween
Nov 24, 2022Happy Thanksgiving!
Apr 23, 2021A house of grand scale(s)