DENNIS PORT, Massachusetts – A HN reader photographed this Portuguese man o’ war found floating at Inman Road Beach yesterday. A beach goer reportedly scooped-up the venomous sea creature in a tank.

Although it superficially resembles a jellyfish, the Portuguese man o’ war is in fact a siphonophore, according to Wikipedia. “It has numerous venomous microscopic nematocysts which deliver a painful sting powerful enough to kill fish, and has been known to occasionally kill humans.” Stings cause red welts accompanied by swelling and moderate to severe pain. These local symptoms last for two to three days, according to online sources.

According to the Town of Yarmouth’s Department of Natural Resources FB page Nantucket Sound (south side) facing beaches were re-opened this morning after being closed to swimming yesterday due to man o’ war sightings.

“Man-of-war stings are excruciatingly painful and can even occur if washed up on shore. We will keep the public updated as we continue to take reports and monitor their locations,” the Yarmouth DNR’s FB post concludes.

[Reader photo/HN edits]

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