These ones, found throughout Australia, are Physalia utriculus, commonly known also as Portuguese Man-o'-war. This, the Indian-Pacific variety is smaller than the Atlantic.
The collective term is an armada.
Their sting stays potent long after they are dead. The recommended treatment is to rinse and pick off any remaining tentacle, then run the affected body part under water as hot as you can stand it.
The one above looks like it is walking!
1 comment:
Interesting post! I grew up near the beach on the east coast of Florida, so I am familiar with the Atlantic variety. These do look a little different, but it sounds like their behavior is similar. I have seen them floating in the water and also washed up on the beach in groups just like that and learned very early not to mess with them even when they are dead!
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