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13132570. Portuguese man o war, Physalia physalis
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13132570. Portuguese man o war, Physalia physalis
Portuguese man o war, Physalia physalis. The gas-filled bladder, or pneumatophore, remains at the surface, while the remainder is submerged. Portuguese man o war have no means of propulsion, and move passively driven by the winds, currents, and tides. Strong winds may drive them into bays or onto beaches. Often, finding a single Portuguese man o war is followed by finding many others in the vicinity. Because they can sting while beached, the discovery of a man o war washed up on a beach may lead to the closure of the beach. Stings from a Portuguese man o war are often extremely painful. They result in severe dermatitis characterized by long, thin, open wounds that resemble those caused by a whip. These are not caused by any impact or cutting action, but by irritating urticariogenic substances in the tentacles. Using its venomous tentacles, a man o war traps and paralyzes its prey while reeling it inwards to the digestive polyps. It typically feeds on small marine organisms, such as fish and plankton. Azores, Portugal Date
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Colonial Copy Dangerous Jellyfish Jellyfishes Poisonous Portuguese Space Sting Tentacles Venomous Vertical Physalia Physalis Siphonophore
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Caught in the Winds of Adventure - The Mysterious Portuguese Man o' War
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. In this photo print, we witness the enchanting beauty and treacherous nature of the Portuguese man o' war. Floating effortlessly on the surface of the ocean, its gas-filled bladder acts as a beacon for curious onlookers. But beware! This creature may seem harmless, but it packs a painful punch. Driven by winds, currents, and tides, these passive drifters can find themselves washed up onto unsuspecting beaches. Imagine stumbling upon one only to discover that it's not alone - an entire fleet awaits nearby! With their venomous tentacles ready to strike, they are both fascinating and fearsome. The sting from a Portuguese man o' war is no joke; it inflicts severe dermatitis resembling whip-like wounds. These painful reminders are caused by urticariogenic substances found within their tentacles rather than any physical impact. It's no wonder that finding one beached often leads to beach closures! Feeding on small marine organisms like fish and plankton, this cunning predator uses its venomous tentacles to trap and paralyze prey before reeling them inwards towards its digestive polyps. A true master of survival in Azores waters. So next time you're strolling along a picturesque beach in Portugal or anywhere else these creatures roam, keep your eyes peeled for these mesmerizing yet dangerous wonders of the sea - just don't get too close unless you want an unforgettable encounter with nature's own whip-wielding warrior!
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