Toxic sea creatures that BURN humans wash up on U.S. beach
A toxic species of marine fireworm, known as Amphinome rostrata, is armed with hundreds of venomous bristles that can leave human skin burning for hours.
Researchers spotted the brightly colored worms scattered along the Gulf Coast while surveying debris on the shores of Corpus Christi, Texas.
Jace Tunnell, director of community engagement at the Harte Research Institute, was the first to raise the alarm after encountering them during his routine beach walks.
He said: 'It literally feels like fire for about three hours.'
Though soft-bodied and only about the size of a pencil, these worms are anything but harmless.
Their bristles, needle-like and nearly invisible, snap off on contact, embedding themselves into the skin and delivering a powerful dose of neurotoxins.
According to experts, these toxins can interfere with the nervous system, potentially causing burning pain, dizziness, nausea, and lasting skin irritation.
To make matters worse, the worms are resilient, tunnel said 'they can regrow if cut in half'.
He admitted to having a few spines stuck in his hand and warned others not to follow his lead, he said: : 'They've been washing up all along my survey area, from Padre Island National Seashore to Matagorda Island.'
The fireworm belongs to a larger family with up to 28 different species, many of which carry their own unique toxic cocktails.
Some reports suggest reactions can range from mild tingling to extreme discomfort that lasts for days or even weeks.
Tunnell added: 'Since we don't know a lot about this species, someone could have a negative reaction to it.'
Though he has only personally experienced mild symptoms, likely due to his frequent encounters with marine life, he admitted his pain threshold might not reflect the average beachgoer's.
He said: 'I'm known for picking up man o' wars and other stinging organisms, so I'm probably not the best judge on pain level.'
Dr Jason Sevald of Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center advised immediate first aid and said: 'Use hot water, as hot as you can safely stand it, and vinegar. Not boiling, of course, but very hot water can help neutralize the toxins.'
Officials have since posted warning signs at beach access points near Corpus Christi as the number of fireworm sightings continues to rise. Visitors are being told to look, but not touch.
Social media has since lit up with uneasy reactions. One user wrote: 'Trust, I would never intentionally touch one in the first place.'
Another added: 'Wouldn't say it is my favorite... but scary!'
And it's not just Texas on alert. Related species like the bearded fireworm can appear in the Mediterranean Sea and can surface at any time of year.
Tunnell explained that the worms typically arrive via floating debris covered in gooseneck barnacles, a favorite food source for the species.
For the curious, his advice is simple: 'My suggestion is to just take photos and enjoy the mystery and beauty of the worm, from a safe distance.'
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