On our trip to the beach the other day, another interesting creature we came across was the Man O War. These things can be dangerous if you get too close to them or step on their tentacles. They can cause swelling, stinging, burning, itching and in some people severe allergic reactions.
Some can have tentacles that are several inches long.
If you do step on one of these, wash the area with salt water or fresh water quickly.
If the pain continues you can apply heat or cold whichever works better.
Try to stay away from these as some people are severely allergic to them. They can cause difficulty breathing and can cause large welts.
This article is authored by
Sandy Shores Realtor, Melbourne FL Real Estate
that for you
Sandy, thank you for the man-o-war primer, I am sure now I will know what to look for when I am at the beach!! Good photos!
So that is a pic of the man o war. Interesting, never seen one before today. I would be tempted to pick it up because of the color and shiny body.
Thanks for the heads up, Not sure if we have them up here in the panhandle, I do see jelly fish all the time,
Good tips prior to summer.
Take care, keep em coming
Karina
Hi Sandy, Thanks for the photos and info -- I have never seen one of these ! Aren't they supposed to be in the water?
These look very cool. I remember finding out about interesting animals in FL when I did my internship on Sanibel Island 13 years ago.
I've never seen one of those up close before. Nice pictures and thanks for the warning (and accompanying information)!
Kathy
It kinda looks like a warped jelly fish, doesn't it? I've heard of a man-o-war but have never actually seen one before. Now I know to watch out for it. Thanks.
Sandy,
I would not want to be on the beach with those...
Ann
Hi Sandy
I can recall the first time I met a man-of -war it was not pleasant experience.
Good luck and success
Lou Ludwig
Well I don't live near any beaches but thanks for the heads up. Those things look completely harmless and maybe even fun to play with. If I ever see one I'll think twice.
Hi SS,
The color of the Man O War is pretty. However, where are it's tentacles?
Sandy, I have seen these in the wild and Justin is right, they look completely harmless drying up on a beach. I saw some in the South Pacific that were over 10 feet long. The sting is horrible. Thanks for sharing...
Not a lot of fun to run into these fine creatures. There are a lof of people that don't have a clue what they are.
Sandy - Carry a shaker of meat tenderizer. It helps with the pain - just ask my son-in-law.
It gives me the creeps just looking at it.
Caren, Just have to keep your eyes open.
Angelia, Oh, that would be the last one of these you ever picked up. Don't ever pick one up or step on one either.
Karina, I don't know if they are in the Panhandle either.
Mary, Yes, often they are in the water and that's when you really have to be careful of them and their tentacles. They can get you on the arms or upper body.
TOTO, I suppose this would be considered an interesting animal(?)
Kathy, Hopefully you won't really see one up close.
Heather, They do look like a jellyfish.
Ann, It's okay, if you just stay away from them.
Lou, I remember as a kid being stung by one of these-it was awful!
Justin, Steer clear if you ever see one of these. Some have deathly allergic reactions to them.
Tony, This guy has his short tentacles tucked up under him. Some are very, very long, and often people step on them, not seeing them at all.
Paul, Wow, I have never seen one that is 10 feet long. That's amazing.
Bill, And those are the people that get hurt the worst by them.
John, I'll have to remember that the next trip to the beach.
Wendy, They are definitely something you don't want to touch.
Sandy,
Thank you... I was thinking I was going to have to stay away from the beach...;-)
Ann Hayden in lovely Wildwood, Missouri
We have them at Myrtle beach too but I'm not sure which kind. I know they sting. Fortunately, I've never experienced it.
Goodness Sandy - Those are dangerous! They look like harmless water balloons, or inserts for a bikini top:-)
Hey Ann, Not to worry, just be careful of these shiny guys when you're on the beach.
Wendy, Lucky for you. Their sting can be terrible.
Myrl, You always make me laugh. You're so funny!
Sandy, I know well about these things. I have had jellyfish stings and they hurt plenty. Man o war must really hurt.
Hi Gary, Oh, I hate to hear when someone has been through the sting of one of these little creatures. It's terrible...really something that you never do forget.