WALKERS are being warned not to touch jellyfish-like creatures that wash up on the West Somerset coast.
Julie Osborne had a lucky escape after picking up this Portuguese Man-O’-War on Minehead beach and coming away unhurt. Even when dead, the creatures can pack a painful sting – though it is rarely fatal.
Julie was walking along the beach at 3pm on Tuesday afternoon when she spotted the unusual-looking creature.
Georgie Blow, coastal survey officer for Somerset Wildlife Trust, explained that the creatures are only occasionally reported in UK waters.
“Portuguese Man-O-War are not actually true jellyfish but siphonophores which are closely related and can be recognised by their bright blue-purple gas filled float, with their blue tentacles which can stretch to 10m in length trailing underneath,” she said.
While appearing to be a single organism, they are in fact a colony composed of many individual animals called zooids all working together as one.
Mrs Blow added: “Their sting is rarely deadly to people but it can still be painful, even when dead, so while interesting to take a look it’s important they are not touched and to keep dogs away. Storms have caused the creatures to be washed ashore.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here