You\u2019d be forgiven for thinking that the diet of an ocean creature\u00a0smaller than a grape\u00a0wouldn\u2019t be very interesting. But, in the case of the blue dragon, you\u2019d be very wrong.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In an astonishingly detailed video, a wildlife photographer has shown just how fascinating the mealtimes of these stunning\u00a0nudibranchs<\/a>\u00a0are.<\/p>\n Blue dragons<\/a> feed on venomous<\/a> creatures, including\u00a0Portuguese men of war<\/a>, by-the-wind-sailors\u00a0(Velella velella)\u00a0and blue buttons\u00a0(Porpita porpita).\u00a0They steal their victims\u2019 venom and store it to use themselves for self-defence.<\/p>\n Nature and conservation photographer\u00a0Alex Basha<\/a>\u00a0has shared this sea slug\u2019s sensational snack time with the world through an exquisite video captured in Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands.<\/p>\n Incredible footage shows blue dragons feeding on a Portuguese man of war. Credit: Alex Basha<\/p>\n Basha has been photographing the wildlife of Las Canteras Beach for several years. When strong winds pushed several open ocean species \u2013 including blue dragons \u2013 closer to shore in this Special Area of Conservation, he took the opportunity to document the event.\u00a0<\/p>\n Thanks to advice from fellow photographer\u00a0Pablo Moratalla<\/a>, Basha was able to capture hypnotic close-up footage of a blue dragon munching on a blue button. Somewhat horrifyingly, its prey was still alive as the tiny predator nibbled on its tissue.\u00a0<\/p>\n A blue dragon feeding on a blue button. Credit: Alex Basha<\/p>\n \u201cI used a Sony A7 IV with a 90mm f\/2.8 macro lens,\u201d says Basha. \u201cTo bring out the colours of the nudibranch and capture its behaviour in detail, I worked with external lighting from the shoreline using a tripod and a LED video light.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeeing a blue dragon feeding at such close range was quite striking,\u201d says\u00a0Basha<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n But he describes the moment as bittersweet. \u201cThese species belong to the open ocean, and when they reach the coastline, it often means they won\u2019t make it back offshore,\u201d he says. \u201cAlthough it feels like a privilege to witness it up close, in most cases it\u2019s the final stage of their journey.\u201d<\/p>\n Image and video credit: Alex Basha<\/a>,\u00a0alexbasha.com<\/a><\/p>\n More amazing wildlife stories from around the world<\/p>\n