Several Portuguese Man ‘O War, also known as ‘Floating Terrors’, were spotted along Aberavon Beach in Port Talbot, Wales.
The Port Talbot Coastguard alerted the public to stay cautious and to avoid all contact with the creature.
Confirming the sighting, the Port Talbot Coastguard said: “We’re urging everyone visiting Aberavon Beach to stay vigilant.
“Do not touch these creatures, even if they appear dead, as their tentacles can still deliver a painful sting.
”If you are stung, rinse the affected area with seawater – not fresh water – and carefully remove any tentacles using a credit card or similar object.
“Immerse the area in water as hot as can be tolerated for at least 30 minutes to help neutralise toxins, and seek medical advice by contacting HM Coastguard or a doctor.”
The Coastguard confirmed that they will remove the jellyfish.
What is a Portuguese Man O’War?
According to National Geographic, a Portuguese Man O’War is often mistaken for a jellyfish, but is actually a siphonophore, meaning it is “an animal made up of a colony of organisms working together”.
The animal is described as being a “large translucent purple float” by the Wildlife Trusts, adding that it has a pink crest and long blue tentacles.
Typically, the Portuguese Man O’War can be spotted floating on the surface of the sea, but it can often get caught in seaweed.
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Although they can’t swim, they often wash up ashore after big storms due to strong winds.
Are Portuguese Man O’War poisonous?
The animal is covered in venom-filled nematocysts that can paralyse and kill fish and small creatures.
National Geographic shares that for humans, the creature’s sting can by “excruciatingly painful”.
