The Texas Gulf Coast has become a menagerie of marine life, with a stunning but hazardous display of sea creatures washing ashore. Beach visitors in Corpus Christi have been coming face-to-face with fascinating but potentially dangerous critters, including the peculiar yet enchanting blue dragons, known in the scientific world as Glaucus atlanticus sea slugs, and the mostly harmless blue button hydrozoan, or Porpita porpita.

While the appearance of these creatures has spiked curiosity and awe, the Houston Chronicle reminds beachgoers that the creatures come with a punch. The blue buttons might look innocent, but their tentacles can sting, though not severely. Meanwhile, officials warn against getting cozy with the venomous blue dragons. "When threatened or touched, it can release stinging cells with more powerful stings than the Portuguese man o' war can alone! That's why we recommend just taking photos and not touching," the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi marine research institute cautioned on Facebook, according to the New York Post.

Not just blown in by the strong southeastern winds typical of a Texas spring, the blue dragons have also come in pursuit of their toxic prey swept by the gusts. They pack quite a punch, capable of processing the cells of their prey to deliver an even stronger sting to would-be predators, leading to symptoms like nausea and vomiting.

Meanwhile, in Corpus Christi, it's not only the blue dragons causing a stir. The blue wave phenomenon has brought in several other marine visitors. The creatures may look like blobs, "but if you can get a bucket and catch them before they get to the sand, they fan out and move their tentacles all around," highlighted a Facebook post by the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies. Visitors hope to witness these gelatinous creatures continue to show up along the shores, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.

With these unique visitors making their unexpected landfall, local experts at the Harte Research Institute are taking the opportunity to educate the public and celebrate the biodiversity of the Gulf while still urging caution. The "blue wave" of marine life is expected to continue into next week, making the coastline a spectacular, if not cautiously treacherous, must-see destination.