High Tides Bring Portuguese Man O’ War To Kelantan Shores, Public Urged To Be Careful
The Civil Defence Force found some Portuguese Man O’ Wars being washed up on the shores of Pantai Irama.
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The high tide phenomenon has washed ashore some Portuguese Man O’ War (Physalia Physalis) at Pantai Irama, Kelantan, in the past few days.
Bachok Civil Defence Department (APM) Lieutenant Mohd Khairi Mat Hussin said the strong waves aren’t suitable for water activities such as swimming and fishing on the breakwater structures.
The Portuguese Man O’War is known for its deadly sting and is easily identifiable by its purplish hue and its sail-like float (pneumatophore).
Mohd Khairi said it’s unusual to find Portuguese Man O’ War this close to the shore. The common jellyfish that are usually found in the area sport pink or white colours.
So far, the Civil Defence Force had carried out efforts to track the remains of the Portuguese Man O’ War along the shores and are patrolling the beaches in the middle of the night to ensure no one is by the seaside during high tides.
Mohd Khairi said they received no reports of stinging from the public but urged everyone in the area to be careful, Kosmo reported.
How deadly is the Portuguese Man O’ War?
The Portuguese Man O’ War got its name from the man-of-war due to its resemblance to the Portuguese sailing warship.
To feed, it traps and paralyzes its prey with its tentacles before reeling its catch inwards to the digestive polyps.
They typically feed on small fishes, shrimps, and crustaceans. Their sting is strong enough to kill a human being too.
The tentacles of dead Portuguese Man O’ War specimens can still sting just as painfully and may remain potent for hours.
While they’re usually mistakenly referred to as jellyfish, the Portuguese Man O’ War is actually a siphonophore and is made up of many smaller units called zooids.
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