c/photography · by will_a113@lemmy.ml · 1y

Man-o-wars! (Men-o-war?)

In south Florida at this time of year we see lots of beached Portuguese man-o-wars. They can sting like a jellyfish, but are actually a "colony" of 4 separate polyps that all live together. Often just the bladder remains, but sometimes they'll still have their full array of tentacles, which can reach 10 feet (and will most definitely still sting you if you touch them)

65 points · 8 comments · view on lemmy.world

8 Comments

Screamium@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 1y (2 replies)

When I was a kid I thought they were balloons and tried to pick one up until it stung me. Brutal for a young child who thought the world was safe to explore

Wahots@pawb.social · 6 pts · 1y

Sounds like the time I accidentally kicked a sea urchin under the water. The needles got under my toe nails. I wanted to be put in a coma to not deal with that, lol.

will_a113@lemmy.ml · 4 pts · 1y

You can actually touch the bladder part, but the tentacles pack a punch. I’ve been stung twice including once when I stepped on one on the beach. It’s like a horrible combination of fire and electricity. 0/5 do not recommend.

neatobuilds@lemmy.today · 8 pts · 1y

I remember being fascinated by pictures of them as a kid but I didn't know they were a colony

aislopmukbang@sh.itjust.works · 6 pts · 1y

[ removed ]

Wahots@pawb.social · 6 pts · 1y

Time to play a game of forbidden hot potato!

NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone · 3 pts · 1y

They wanna keep us down

But they can't last

When we get up

We're gonna kick your ass

Gonna keep on burning