What exactly is a Florida Jellyfish? And why should you care?
The Florida jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca) is a species of jellyfish native to the Atlantic Ocean. They are also known as Portuguese man o’ war or sea nettle. These jellyfish are usually found near coastal areas where they feed on plankton.
Jellyfish stings are painful and dangerous. If you get stung, seek medical attention immediately. Learn more about these creatures and their dangers below.
Self-Protect From Florida Jellyfish
Jellyfish are among nature’s most dangerous creatures. They can easily kill humans and even large animals like whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, and birds. A single stinger can inject venom into a human body, causing severe pain and potentially death. If you like snorkeling maybe you will need this information. Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself against jellyfish. Here are three tips for keeping safe around jellyfish:
1. Don’t Touch Them
If you come across a jellyfish, do not attempt to pick it up or move it away from the area where it is stranded. Instead, let someone else take care of it. Jellyfish are often found near shorelines, beaches, rocky areas, and reefs. These locations tend to attract swimmers, surfers, and divers, making them prime targets for jellyfish encounters.
2. Keep Away
Even if you aren’t touching the jellyfish, you could still be exposed to its tentacles. When swimming or surfing, avoid getting too close to the water’s surface. You can also wear protective clothing such as waders, boots, gloves, and hats.
3. Be Careful While Diving
When scuba diving, remember to always check your gear and equipment for damage. Never dive without checking your regulator, mask strap, fins, and weight belt. Also, never swim under a boat. Boats can cause turbulence in the water, which might dislodge loose objects or disturb the jellyfish.
According to USA TODAY, an estimated 150 million people are stung by jellyfish globally each year.
Florida Jellyfish To Watch Out For
As the weather and the waters become colder, there are a number of interesting creatures that come out of hibernation during the winter months. This includes one of the most unusual ones – jellyfish. Yes, jellyfish are animals, but they are not fish. They are cnidarians. And they have tentacles. Lots of tentacles.
Jellyfish are often confused with sea anemones because both look similar. Sea anemones do not sting, however, and they have no tentacles. Instead, they have a small mouth called a “radial crown.” These creatures live in shallow coastal areas around the world, including Florida.
One of the most commonly seen jellyfish in Florida is the Portuguese man o’ war. It is usually encountered near the surface of the ocean, floating on the surface, but it can also be seen attached to objects like boats or docks. This large jellyfish can grow up to 10 feet long.
Another type of jellyfish that can be seen off the coast of Florida is the moon jellies. Moon jellies are very rare, but they are sometimes spotted drifting on the surface of the ocean. They are translucent, so you can actually see the stars twinkling through them.
The third type of jellyfish that is commonly sighted in Florida is the box jellyfish. Box jellyfish are known to cause severe pain and irritation to people who come into contact with them. They are typically found on the bottom of the ocean and are covered in spikes. If touched, they release a toxin that causes intense burning sensations.
While being stung by a jellyfish is unpleasant, it is not dangerous. However, if someone gets stung repeatedly, they could develop a life-threatening allergic reaction. People who are sensitive to jellyfish venom can experience symptoms such as hives, swelling, shortness of breath, chest pains, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, seizures, heart failure, and death.
You can read 5 Types of Jellyfish in Florida for more information about Florida Jellyfish.
Conclusion
That’s some tips to avoid Florida jellyfish if you come across them. I hope that after reading this post you can understand how Florida jellyfish stings are dangerous. If you have an experience with Florida jellyfish, just leave comments below!
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