Latest news with #AtlanticSeaNettle
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Jellyfish are lurking off the Delaware beaches. How to stay safe, what to do if stung
Everyone loves going to the Delaware beaches and having fun in the Atlantic Ocean, but you also have to respect everything that makes its home in the water. While sharks seem to get all the attention, there's a more common concern, and if you run into them, you'll wish you hadn't. We're talking about jellyfish. Here's what to know about them before you enter the water. Summer fun in the First State: Welcome to our 2025 Delaware Summer Guide Delaware is home to four different jellyfish, according to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. The jellyfish are: Lion's Mane: The largest known jellyfish species in the world. The jellyfish's bright, trailing tentacles look like a lion's mane and are easy to spot because of their orange color. They can be as large as 6 to 12 inches across at the bell, or the rounded part at the top. The stinging cells are not known to be fatal to people. But the sting site will be very red and painful. Atlantic Sea Nettle: This species is somewhat clear, with small white dots and reddish-brown stripes. Their sting is strong to severe, but not deadly to humans. Moon Jellyfish: The moon jellyfish looks like an underwater flying saucer and lights up at night. They don't have strong enough stinging power to penetrate our skin, but if you happen to get brushed by one, you will feel a minor stinging sensation. Sea Walnut: They're not true jellyfish, but Ctenophores, or comb jellies. If you do see one, don't fret. They're harmless to people. While not fatal, some jellyfish stings are incredibly painful. According to the Mayo Clinic, after getting stung, you should do the following: Carefully pluck visible tentacles with fine tweezers. Soak the skin in hot water (110 to 113 degrees). It should feel hot, but not scalding. Keep impacted skin immersed or in a hot shower for 20 to 45 minutes or until the pain eases. Apply 0.5% to 1% hydrocortisone cream or ointment twice daily to the affected skin. If you are stung in the eye, you'll require medical care to control the pain and flush the eye. If, by chance, you are stung by box jellyfish, which are found in tropical areas like the Indian and Pacific Oceans and not in Delaware, you will need medical attention and antivenom medication. You may have seen the "Friends" episode where Monica was stung by a jellyfish. Don't do what Chandler and Joey did to fix the issue. Here's what to avoid, according to the Mayo Clinic. Rinsing with human urine Scraping out stingers Rinsing with cold, fresh water Applying meat tenderizer Applying alcohol, ethanol or ammonia Rubbing with a towel Applying pressure bandages This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Which jellyfish are around Delaware? What to do if you get stung
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
Lion's mane jellyfish spotted off New England coast. What jellyfish might you see in RI?
For more than 500 million years – well before dinosaurs ever thought of existing – jellyfish have floated through the world's oceans. Today, 2,000 species of jellyfish have been discovered around the world, including an 'immortal jellyfish' that can rejuvenate itself and ones that can grow to be bigger than humans. While you're not likely to run into a human-size jellyfish while taking a dip off the Rhode Island shoreline, there are plenty of jellyfish to be found. Particularly, in the summer months when warmer waters create prime conditions for jellyfish blooms. While certain jellyfish are more common, sometimes a stray shows up. For example, recently lion's mane jellyfish, which pack a painful sting, have been surging in the Gulf of Maine. They are sometimes spotted in Rhode Island in the spring and summer. But, here are five species of jellyfish you might encounter in Rhode Island. The moon jelly is the most common jellyfish in Rhode Island and is found floating in open water near the surface. These jellyfish are white with a dome shape and 4 horseshoe-shaped gonads, that can be orange or pink in appearance, visible from the top. The good news about these guys is, according to Mystic Aquarium, their sting is mild. One jellyfish that does pack a powerful sting is the Atlantic Sea Nettle, with long, thin, twining tentacles trailing behind it. This jellyfish is more often found in the South County salt ponds, such as Ninigret and Green Hill Ponds rather than the open ocean. Some years there are enough of them that The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) issue a warning to be careful, as their sting can cause 'moderate discomfort and itching welts.' If stung, it's recommended to wash the area with vinegar, not fresh water. More advice: What to do if you're stung by a sea nettle Small but mighty, this isn't a jellyfish you want to come across. The clinging jellyfish is about the size of a dime and are most recognizable by an orange-brown cross on their transparent body. They pack a powerful sting that has sent several Rhode Island beachgoers to the hospital. Their preferred habitat is clinging to vegetation like eelgrass, so you're not likely to have a run-in with one while on R.I.'s sandy beaches. Advice: How to protect yourself from clinging jellyfish Technically not a jellyfish, the Man O'War is a group of organisms acting as one to survive. They're named for the way their top resembles a warship at full sail. The sail, which can be blue, violet or pink, can float up to 6 inches above the water. Below are tentacles that can grow up to 100 feet. While they aren't typically found in abundance off of Rhode Island's ocean beaches, sightings are reported nearly every year. If you see something that resembles a balloon floating on top of the water, stay away. The Man O'War packs a powerful sting, capable of sending someone to the hospital. The tentacles are harmful even when they have detached from the body. A deep dive: More to know about Portuguese men o' war Often called a jellyfish because of its gelatinous body, the comb jellyfish is technically a ctenophore. These creatures – which grow to be 4 or 5 inches long – have no sting. Recent studies have found the comb jellies are present in Narragansett Bay for a longer season as water temperatures have risen. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island jellyfish can pack a sting. Here are 5 to be aware of
