Visitors of a popular UK beach have been issued a warning after the discovery of some dangerous jellyfish. The Lion's mane jellyfish us is often referred to as one of the world's longest animals with one sighting recorded at 36.6m in length.
Richard Lee spotted several of the species while walking by Traeth Lligwy, near Moelfre, Wales. The sting from this particular species of jellyfish is rarely lethal, but it can cause severe skin reactions that feel like a really bad nettle rash.
If someone is stung by a Lion's mane jellyfish, North Wales Wildlife Trust (NWWT) advises to go see a doctor if symptoms become particularly severe. The sea creature gets its name from its red-orange cluster of tentacles that can reach astonishing lengths, North Wales Live reports.
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This species of jellyfish is often referred to as the world's longest animal and in one sighting off the coast of Massachusetts, USA, it was found to have tentacles measuring 36.6 metres (120ft) in length. Mr Lee said that the ones he saw on Lligwy beach were much smaller and measured around 1.5ft in length.
“I came across this bad boy on my last day on the island," he said. "There were a few others on the beach. As the summer school break has just started, I thought visitors should be warned before some poor kid gets hurt.”
Lion's manes are typically found in waters to the north of Scotland but there have been frequent sightings in North Wales. In 2016, athlete Liane Llewellyn-Hickling had to give up her attempt to become the first woman to swim around Anglesey in one go after she was stung more than five times by a Lion’s mane jellyfish.
On its website, NWWT warned: “Fragments of its tentacles will sting you even if they’re no longer attached to the jellyfish. They will still sting long after they’ve been on the shore.” It also advises: Lion’s mane jellyfish give a very nasty sting, so consult a doctor if swelling or weals are severe.
“In the meantime, scrape the area with a clean stick or remove the tentacle with tweezers if you have them to hand, then rinse the area with warm to hot water to reduce swelling.”
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