Stingers appearing on Texas beaches
It’s that time of year again. The Portuguese man-of-war typically floats up and onto Texas beaches from the spring to the late summer, continuously surprising tourists with their blue-to-pink hue and strange shape.
One Facebook user took to the Bolivar Beachcombers group to share a picture of a bright blue man-of-war lying on the sand, prompting dozens of comments.
“These things are why I will not swim,” said one comment.
The gas-filled bubble is a colony of organisms with tentacles that can grow up to 40 feet long on average and help them feed on small fish and animals like sea turtles and purple storm snails, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
What is a man-of-war?
The Portuguese man-of-war, a siphonophore, is an animal comprising of a colony of organisms, which means it is not a jellyfish.
The creatures float in groups of at least 1,000 through warm ocean waters, and the siphonophores are mostly moved by currents or wind.
A man-of-war can fall below the surface of the water temporarily to avoid threats, according to National Geographic.
What they look like
The strange creatures are notable because their balloon tops float above the waterline, resembling an 18th-century Portuguese warship.
Their tentacles sway below the man-of-war in the water.
Are they dangerous?
Thankfully, the creatures are rarely deadly to beachgoers, but the thin tentacles that can reach far below the water’s surface can be hard for swimmers to spot as they move through the water.
The tendrils hold stinging nematocysts, which are coiled tubes that can sting their pray and humans, causing welts.
What if you see one?
Portuguese man-of-wars can look harmless if dried out, but experts say the creatures’ tentacles can still be venomous after they wash up on beaches and die. Avoid touching the tentacles, which can cause burning rash streaks on contact.
How to treat a sting
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says not to rub the stung area. Instead, take a card like a driver’s license to scrape off the nearly invisible tentacles and run the affected skin under hot water or use a warm compress. The itching rash can be relieved with hydrocortisone cream or antihistamine tablets.
Get medical attention if there is a severe allergic reaction.