With the sighting of a potentially deadly Portuguese man o’ war at Bournemouth Pier, just what caused the little jellyfish-like creature to wash up on our shore and what is it?

What is a Portuguese war o’ man?

Although similar in appearance to jellyfish, a Portuguese man o’ war is actually a siphonophore – a colony of tiny animals called zooids, all working together as if one creature. They are found out in the open Atlantic Ocean, and because of their tiny size they drift around guided entirely by the currents and winds.

Why has one been found on Bournemouth beach?

During the winter months, it is not unusual for Portuguese man o’ war to drift towards the Dorset coast. When we get big storms with strong south westerly winds, the tiny creatures can get pushed closer to our coast and end up stranded on our beaches. This means it’s very likely here as a consequence of Storm Eunice on Friday.

What should you do if you find one stranded?

Dorset Wildlife Trust advises people not to touch Portuguese man o’ wars. Their tentacles have strong venom in them and do have a very powerful and painful sting. Sightings can be reported to the trust at: kimmeridge@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk. In the most extreme and rare cases the sting can kill a human. But it’s most likely the only damage done would be severe pain for up to three hours.

Why is it called a Portuguese man o’ war?

The name comes from the Man of War, an 18th-century sailing warship. When at full sail, the animal has a resemblance to the Portuguese version – the Caravel.