Beachgoers warned after deadly Portuguese man o’war is found washed up on Cornish beach
BEACHGOERS have been warned to be on the lookout for deadly Portuguese man o'war jellyfish after one was spotted on a Cornish beach.
The creature - also known as floating terror - has an extremely powerful sting and on rare occasions can kill.
Artist Mara Swift from Haverforswest claimed she spotted the deadly creature on a beach in Newgate on September 7.
She said the creature's body was about 15 centimetres in length, with the tentacles stretching three or four metres.
However the Marine Conservation Society has not yet confirmed the sighting as legitimate.
What is Portuguese Man o’ War and why are they so dangerous?
- - Portuguese Man o'War or Physaliidae isn't a jellyfish but is closely related and consists of a floating colony of hydrozoans - lots of really tiny marine organisms living together and behaving collectively as one animal.
- It's the tentacle-like polyps that can give an agonising and potentially lethal sting and on rare occasions its sting can kill
- Stings cause severe pain to humans and leave bright red whip-like welts on the skin for days afterwards.
- A stranded Portuguese Man o'War looks a bit like a deflating purple balloon with blue ribbons attached
- If you see one, do not touch it or pick it up.
- Report any sightings to the Marine Conservation Society website
- Source: MSC
The Sun Online contacted the Marine Conservation Society for a comment.
In July 2016, a warning that Portuguese o'war's could be heading to Britain's shores was issued.
This was prompted after a number of sightings were recorded in Cornwall and the Scilly Isles.
Anyone who does see a Portuguese man o'war are advised not to touch it or pick it up and report any sightings to the .
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