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Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:46 pm
The Portugese Man O' War
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Named for its resemblance to a Portuguese sailing vessel, the body is an iridescent blue, pink or violet floating bladder, 3 – 12 inches across, with a "sail" that sticks up as much as 6 inches. Wind, as well as current, can drive the passive body as it seeks its prey. A colony of four types of highly modified polyps, each having a single branched tentacle, is suspended from under the bladder The tentacles of the defensive and food capturing polyps are transparent and and may trail up to 165 feet behind the float, entrapping plankton and small fish as they dangle.
A very efficient predator, the Man-of-war may fall victim to Loggerhead and Hawksbill Turtles and Sunfish.
Most commonly found afloat, they often wash ashore in winter or when blown by strong winds.
Habitat
Common in tropical or sub-tropical regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, they are also found in the North Atlantic Gulf Stream, Florida’s Keys and coast, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Sargasso Sea (N.E. of the West Indies).
Risk to Humans
Humans coming in contact with the tentacles are attacked by numerous microscopic, poisonous, dart like structures,(nematocysts) causing extremely painful lesions. Pain and discomfort for an adult may last from several minutes to several days. Children, asthmatics, and people with allergies or sensitivities to plants or animals may be at extreme risk.
A severed tentacle can inflict as much damage as an attached tentacle, and a dead Man-of-war can still sting. Do not touch a Man-of-war on the beach or enter the water where they are present.
Ecological & other value
Fish and crustaceans, such as the sand crab, that can be of commercial value, eat the Portuguese Man-of-war.
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Named for its resemblance to a Portuguese sailing vessel, the body is an iridescent blue, pink or violet floating bladder, 3 – 12 inches across, with a "sail" that sticks up as much as 6 inches. Wind, as well as current, can drive the passive body as it seeks its prey. A colony of four types of highly modified polyps, each having a single branched tentacle, is suspended from under the bladder The tentacles of the defensive and food capturing polyps are transparent and and may trail up to 165 feet behind the float, entrapping plankton and small fish as they dangle.
A very efficient predator, the Man-of-war may fall victim to Loggerhead and Hawksbill Turtles and Sunfish.
Most commonly found afloat, they often wash ashore in winter or when blown by strong winds.
Habitat
Common in tropical or sub-tropical regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, they are also found in the North Atlantic Gulf Stream, Florida’s Keys and coast, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Sargasso Sea (N.E. of the West Indies).
Risk to Humans
Humans coming in contact with the tentacles are attacked by numerous microscopic, poisonous, dart like structures,(nematocysts) causing extremely painful lesions. Pain and discomfort for an adult may last from several minutes to several days. Children, asthmatics, and people with allergies or sensitivities to plants or animals may be at extreme risk.
A severed tentacle can inflict as much damage as an attached tentacle, and a dead Man-of-war can still sting. Do not touch a Man-of-war on the beach or enter the water where they are present.
Ecological & other value
Fish and crustaceans, such as the sand crab, that can be of commercial value, eat the Portuguese Man-of-war.
Broken Link Removed by an Administrator
