Winds from the Gulf Stream Current and warmer ocean temperatures during the summer months may be the catalysts behind a strange “jellyfish” like creatures popping up on East coast beaches over the past several weeks.
Known as the Portuguese Man O’ War, these large, colorful venomous animals are often confused for a jellyfish but are actually part of a group related to jellyfish called siphonophores. They can grow up to 1 foot long and 5 inches wide and their tentacles can stretch as long as 165 feet, according to National Geographic.
Recent sightings of the Man O’War along beaches in Harvey Cedars, New Jersey prompted lifeguards to post information on its Facebook page where they issued water hazards and urged swimmers to be aware of their …show more content…
The float is filled with a gas similar to the atmospheric mix, except it contains high levels of carbon monoxide, which would kill mammalian tissue.
“Typically in the Northeast we see these animals periodically in the summer, when they are successfully carried north by the Gulf Stream current,” said Landau. “Sometimes the currents move these animals into temperate seas when the winds drives them toward coastlines.”
The diet of the Portuguese Man’ O War is composed of small fish and crustaceans with their long contractile tentacles paralyzing their prey. These creatures may seem very attractive to look at while they are lying on the sand, but if humans come into direct contact with a Portuguese Man O’War their sting can be fatal even when appeared to be dead.
According to Landau, some symptoms of a Portuguese man-of-war sting is based upon a person’s size, age and general health and how much contact is made with their tentacles.
“Symptoms are usually localized (pain where contact was made), but in some cases there can be muscle and joint aches, or even confusion and respiratory distress”, Landau said. “In extreme cases, a victim may go into shock, which in deep water will obviously lead to
Known as the Portuguese Man O’ War, these large, colorful venomous animals are often confused for a jellyfish but are actually part of a group related to jellyfish called siphonophores. They can grow up to 1 foot long and 5 inches wide and their tentacles can stretch as long as 165 feet, according to National Geographic.
Recent sightings of the Man O’War along beaches in Harvey Cedars, New Jersey prompted lifeguards to post information on its Facebook page where they issued water hazards and urged swimmers to be aware of their …show more content…
The float is filled with a gas similar to the atmospheric mix, except it contains high levels of carbon monoxide, which would kill mammalian tissue.
“Typically in the Northeast we see these animals periodically in the summer, when they are successfully carried north by the Gulf Stream current,” said Landau. “Sometimes the currents move these animals into temperate seas when the winds drives them toward coastlines.”
The diet of the Portuguese Man’ O War is composed of small fish and crustaceans with their long contractile tentacles paralyzing their prey. These creatures may seem very attractive to look at while they are lying on the sand, but if humans come into direct contact with a Portuguese Man O’War their sting can be fatal even when appeared to be dead.
According to Landau, some symptoms of a Portuguese man-of-war sting is based upon a person’s size, age and general health and how much contact is made with their tentacles.
“Symptoms are usually localized (pain where contact was made), but in some cases there can be muscle and joint aches, or even confusion and respiratory distress”, Landau said. “In extreme cases, a victim may go into shock, which in deep water will obviously lead to