![Dangerous Portuguese Man O’ War Were Spotted Off The Coast MA](http://townsquare.media/site/919/files/2021/07/attachment-FireShot-Capture-988-The-deadly-tentacles-of-the-Portuguese-man-o-war-Blue-Planet-II-_-www.youtube.com_.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Dangerous Portuguese Man O’ War Were Spotted Off The Coast MA
If you are headed to the coast this weekend to celebrate the 4th one place you might want to steer clear of is the Horseneck Beach State Reservation area. State officials are warning beachgoers off Horseneck Beach in Westport.
The Department of Conservation and Recreation on Tuesday warned the public of the presence of the sea creature and said it has posted purple flags at the beach, which indicate the presence of dangerous marine animals.
The Portuguese man o’ war is recognized by its balloon-like float, which may be blue, violet, or pink, which rises up to six inches above the water line, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Resembling an 18th-century Portuguese warship under full sail, the man o’ war is recognized by its balloon-like float, which rises up to six inches above the waterline.
Youtube/BBC
Its tentacles below the water, which can grow as long as 100 feet, deliver venom capable of paralyzing and killing small fish. The tentacles contain stinging nematocysts, microscopic capsules loaded with coiled, barbed tubes that deliver venom capable of paralyzing and killing small fish and crustaceans. While the man o’ war’s sting is rarely deadly to people, it packs a painful punch and causes welts on exposed skin. While rarely deadly to humans, it can cause painful welts on exposed skin.
Often called a jellyfish, it is actually a species of siphonophore, which is closely related to jellyfish.
![WUPE logo](https://townsquare.media/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/WUPEFM-WUPEAM.png?w=100)
WATCH OUT: These are the deadliest animals in the world
LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs
KEEP READING: Here are 6 foods from your cookout that could harm your dog
LOOK: Stunning animal photos from around the world
LOOK: Here are the 50 best beach towns in America
More From WUPE
![MA Dog Owners: Be Vigilant To Protect Fido During Hot Weather Spells](http://townsquare.media/site/922/files/2021/07/attachment-lead-pic.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![2 Massachusetts Hospitals Are On Top 20 List Of America’s Best](http://townsquare.media/site/920/files/2022/03/attachment-RS1821_10069454001-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![3 Cities With The Best Drinking Water In Massachusetts](http://townsquare.media/site/920/files/2024/07/attachment-waterglass.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Massachusetts’ Top 3 Cities For Going Topless!](http://townsquare.media/site/920/files/2024/07/attachment-goingtopless.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![These Are The Healthiest Fast-Food Burgers In Massachusetts (Photos)](http://townsquare.media/site/919/files/2020/04/RS21345_GettyImages-103943225-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Hard To Believe These 3 Cities Have The Best Tap Water In Massachusetts](http://townsquare.media/site/920/files/2024/06/attachment-tapwater.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![2024 Sees MA With 3 Of The Top 25 Cities For This Naked Activity](http://townsquare.media/site/920/files/2024/06/attachment-nudewoman.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Warning: Due To Scary Risk, Popular Spice Pulled From MA Stores](http://townsquare.media/site/920/files/2024/02/attachment-foodrecall.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Here Are The Ultimate Most Dangerous Cities In Massachusetts](http://townsquare.media/site/920/files/2024/06/attachment-bostonempty.jpg?w=980&q=75)