KUCHING: The Portuguese Man o’ War, a highly venomous marine creature, has been spotted in the waters of Sarawak.
The Sarawak Civil Defence Force (APM) reported the first sighting at Telok Melano Beach on February 16 and 17.
Since then, there have been additional sightings of this deadly creature at beaches ranging from Sematan to Mukah.
It is believed that the Man o’ War was brought to shore during recent high tides.
Netizens on the Sarawak APM’s Facebook page have also shared photos and videos of the marine creatures encountered during their beach walks.
In light of this, the agency has issued a reminder to the community, especially beachgoers, to exercise caution and remain vigilant regarding this creature.
Although the Man o’ War is often referred to as a jellyfish, it is a species of siphonophore, which is closely related to jellyfish.
According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a siphonophore is unique in that it consists of a colony of genetically identical individuals called zooids, or clones.
These zooids have different forms and functions, but they work together as one entity.
Each of the four specialized parts of a Man o’ War has a specific function, such as floating, capturing prey, feeding, and reproduction.
This creature is primarily found in tropical and subtropical seas. It resembles an 18th-century Portuguese warship with its balloon-like float, which can be blue, violet, or pink and rises to six inches above the waterline.
Beachgoers should be aware that the Man o’ War can still sting, even weeks after washing ashore.
