Say hi to moon jellyfish. They're just 1 species of 'jellies' of Florida. Do they sting?
'Tis the season ... for Aurelia aurita.
Meet the moon jellyfish or moon jelly. Actually, you're better off staying away.
Like an early snowbird to Florida, the moon jellyfish proliferates this time of year, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. They were sighted near the Panama City Beach Sept. 5.
Purple flags warn beachgoers of dangerous marine life in the area so check those flags before heading onto the beach or into the water.
So what are moon jellyfish and how dangerous are their stings?
Moon jellyfish get their name from their translucent bell-shape that sort of looks like a full moon. You can also identify them by the four purple glowing circles on the top that loop around in a clover-like formation, according to the OceanConservancy.
They have short wispy tentacles that hang below and tend to float just below the surface of the water.
Their sting has little effect on humans beyond slight discomfort and a rash that will last only a few hours.
They are considered a "delectable snack by all sorts of turtles, birds and fish."
Is there a 'jellyfish season'?
Jellyfish, including moon jellies, can be found in small numbers all year in Florida, but populations will increase — sometimes dramatically — during the warmer months, according to Jim Masterson, a research professor in marine ecology at Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Fort Pierce.
? Moon jellyfish can sting people and clog machinery
They're usually most abundant in September and October, before tapering off again as the water becomes colder, Masterson told TCPalm in September 2022.
Other types of jellyfish seen in Florida waters
Jellyfish, with their stinging tentacles, range in size from tiny to several feet in diameter. While most jellyfish do not sting, there are several species found in Florida waters that do sting, including:
Upside-down jellyfish: Also known as the mangrove jelly, the upside-down jellyfish is different from other jellies: it lies on the seafloor, according to the Bermudian.com. Direct stings can lead to multi-day pain and rashes experienced largely as burning and itching sensations. They also release a venom-filled mucus into the water, which can cause irritation or a stinging sensation on your skin, even if without direct contact.
Sea nettle: Also called the East Coast sea nettle, this jellyfish has four thick, long, lacy oral arms that hang from the bell margin and has four to 40 long thread-like tentacles, which also sting, according to the AquariumofPacific.org.
Portuguese man-of-war: The main feature of the Portuguese man-of-war is its gas-filled float, a see through blue, pink or violet bulb on the water's surface, and its thin trailing tentacles. These tentacles can be up to 50 feet long and easily break away. Skin contact with the tentacles causes extreme pain and raised whip-like red streaks. Serious exposure can result in breathing difficulties, shock and even death, according to the Florida Poison Information Center Network.
How can you minimize the risk of being stung by a jellyfish?
“Always be mindful of your surroundings when entering or exiting the water,” said Chantille Weber, UF/IFAS Extension Bay County coastal resources coordinator.
“Wearing thin layers, such as an exposure suit like a rash guard, dive skin or wetsuit, helps minimize and prevent direct contact with tentacles while swimming or diving.”
Symptoms of a jellyfish sting
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of jellyfish stings include:
Burning, prickling, stinging pain
Welts or tracks on the skin — a "print" of the tentacles' contact with the skin
Itchiness
Swelling
Throbbing pain that radiates up a leg or an arm
"Severe jellyfish stings can affect multiple body systems. These reactions may appear rapidly or several hours after the stings." Symptoms of severe jellyfish stings include:
Stomach pain, nausea and vomiting
Headache
Muscle pain or spasms
Faintness, dizziness or confusion
Difficulty breathing
Heart problems
The symptoms and seriousness of a jellyfish sting can vary widely depending on factors such as the type of jellyfish, the individual's sensitivity and the location of and extent of the sting, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Seek immediate professional medical attention for significant pain, spreading redness, difficulty breathing or signs of an allergic reaction.
Marine stings can cause life-threatening allergic reactions, the Florida Department of Health said. Call the Florida Poison Information Center Network at 1-800-222-1222 or 911 if you begin to have trouble breathing, feel faint orhave chest pain.
What to do if you're stung by a jellyfish
Rinse the affected area with saltwater to help loosen and release nematocysts (stinging cells) from the skin.
Rinse the affected area with vinegar to neutralize any remaining venom. Avoid using freshwater, as this can worsen the sting.
Use a credit card edge, stick or gloved hand to gently scrape off any visible tentacles. Avoid rubbing the area to prevent further venom release.
Apply hot water or a heat pack to the affected area to reduce pain. Hot water should be as hot as possible without scalding. If heat is not available, use a cold pack or ice in a dry plastic bag for temporary relief.
'Space jellyfish': This is type of jellyfish Florida likes to see
"Space jellyfish" is a colloquial term used to describe the trail seen after a rocket launch.
It's best seen during launches when it's still dark on the ground. As the rocket rises, if the timing is right before sunrise or after sunset, ice crystals from the engines are illuminated by the sun's rays from below the horizon.
The fascinating display is easily visible with the naked eye.
Speaking of space, moon jellies took off from Earth
In 1991, the Space Shuttle Columbia took 2,478 jellyfish polyps for an experiment in SpaceLab. By the end of the mission, there were about 60,000 jellies orbiting Earth.
After they returned, researchers found they "showed irregular pulsing and movement as though they had taken a few too many jello shots — they were essentially suffering from vertigo," according to Jellyfishart.com.
"The results of this study tell us that for human babies growing up in space, Earth may by a dizzying place!"
Do you really pee on a jellyfish sting? We tackle the myths and throw in some trivia
Do not urinate on a jellyfish sting. That actually could bring more pain since urine contains freshwater, according to the OceanConservancy. You're better off rinsing with vinegar, said EarthSky.
Jellyfish don't have bones, brains, teeth, blood or fins, according to the Monterey Bay Acquarium.
The largest jellyfish is the lion's mane jelly, with can have an 8-foot bell and tentacles that stretch up to 100 feet — which is as long as two school buses end to end, according to the Monterey Bay Acquarium.
Do jellyfish really go after people? No. Contact is incidental but when people are where jellyfish are, we can come into contact with those tentacles, said EarthSky.
Jelly cam: Get your fill of jellyfish
Can't get enough jellyfish? Here's a jelly cam from Monterey Bay Aquarium
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida jellyfish: Sting symptoms, dangers. Types found, what to do