(CMR) The Department of Environment said it is aware of reports of Portuguese man o’ war (Physalia physalis) being found washed up on South Sound beaches.
Portuguese man o’ war are highly toxic and should never be touched. Even when washed ashore, their thin, nearly invisible tentacles can still sting if contact is made, the DoE warned.
The public is therefore advised to exercise extreme caution, especially with children and pets, to ensure no contact is made with them.
If a sting occurs, vinegar and heat may be used to mitigate the effects until medical attention can be sought.
The colorful bladder of the Portuguese man o’ war acts as a surface floatation and wind sail as it floats passively across the ocean. Its venom-filled nematocysts are in the tentacles, which dangle below the water’s surface, sometimes reaching lengths over 50’ to catch and paralyze small fish, crustaceans, and other prey.
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