“Portuguese man o’ war” - commonly mistaken as jellyfish - are actually Siphonophores. A bizarre group of animals that consist of colonies made up of hundreds of genetically identical individual creatures. Beachgoers are reminded to be careful though as their stings can be fatal to humans, even after death.
Portuguese man o' war, which resemble jellyfish, have appeared on Taiwan’s eastern coastal areas, specifically at beaches in Taitung and Hualien. Carried by northeast monsoon winds, these dangerous creatures known as siphonophores, have washed up in large numbers, covering beaches with blue, balloon-like organisms that look either plump or deflated.
Beach cleanup workers in Taitung conservation areas are working tirelessly to remove these potentially lethal marine creatures. One worker noted that in her six-year career, she had never seen such a massive jellyfish invasion and warned visitors about the extreme danger.
Residents and social media users have been cautioning the public about the presence of these animal species, which is considered highly toxic. Even after death, these marine creatures remain extremely poisonous, capable of causing inflamed marks on the skin and potentially life-threatening injuries upon contact.
Researchers from the Fisheries Research Institute Eastern Fishery Research Center explain that the creature’s toxicity primarily stems from its nematocysts, located in its tentacles. Authorities strongly advise the public to exercise extreme caution when going to the beach and not to touch these beautiful but deadly creatures.
