![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/man-o-war.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPortuguese man o’ war are known to wash up on South Florida beaches from November through April.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPortuguese man o’ war are known to wash up on South Florida beaches from November through April.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Photo by James St. John from Flickr<\/a><\/p>\n South Florida\u2019s scorching summers mean many beachgoers wait until winter to stroll along the white sand. But those who aren\u2019t native to South Florida may be surprised when their beach walk takes them past what appears to be aliens disguised as blue Walmart bags from the \u201990s.<\/p>\n Upon closer inspection, most people realize these otherworldly monsters are actually marine organisms, specifically the Portuguese man o\u2019 war. Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation note<\/a> the man o\u2019 war, known for its trademark translucent-blue plume and curly tentacles, is known to wash up on South Florida beaches between November and April.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also known for its excruciatingly painful stings. <\/p>\n Stings often leave whip-like, red welts on the skin and can remain up to three days, according to Palm Beach County Parks. The issue is so prevalent that lifeguards are equipped to treat such stings (don\u2019t worry, they use distilled vinegar, not urine). If a lifeguard is nowhere to be found, remove any visible tentacles from the skin without using your hands \u2014 a stick or towel will suffice. Then, flush the area with saltwater and apply a hot or cold compress to relieve pain. If you experience shortness of breath, call for emergency medical help.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tThis year, make your gift count \u2013 Invest in local news that matters.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOur work is funded by readers like you who make voluntary gifts because they value our work and want to see it continue. Make a contribution today to help us reach our $30,000 goal!\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n While man o\u2019 war can wash up on beaches as far north as New England, they more commonly appear in places like Florida and Texas. Even with that massive area to consider, it\u2019s hard to imagine a worse invasion than what happened in South Florida in February 2011. According to NBC 6<\/a>, Fort Lauderdale saw nearly 500 man o\u2019 war stings on the beach in just two days.<\/p>\n \u201cInvasion\u201d would probably come across as harsh to any man o\u2019 war reading this. That\u2019s because the consensus among scientists says strong winds are responsible for pushing the creatures onto shores, where they meet their demise, although their wiry tentacles remain venomous even after they perish.<\/p>\n But the most interesting fact about the man o\u2019 war may have been discovered this summer. The study, conducted by a team of worldwide researchers, shows the man-o-war is actually four individual, specialized organisms combined into one. Think Zords combining in Power Rangers or two kids stacked up under a trench coat and fedora.<\/p>\n While it may seem stranger than fiction, colonial organisms (siphonophores) are nothing new to those who study the animal kingdom. According to Oceanographic Magazine, scientists repeatedly dismissed the idea each time it came up in the 18th and 19th centuries. Each of the four parts handles an essential function: floating, capturing prey, feeding, and reproduction, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Portuguese man o’ war are known to wash up on South Florida beaches from November through April. 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