Portuguese Man of War

The Man-O-War jellyfish, invading summer beaches of Bermuda, is in fact a system of organisms working together to survive. On part hunts, another takes care of "D-fence" and the part seen here enables it to move through the shore waters almost unseen. It fills up with air and water and, much like a sailing boat, uses the wind and the currents to move. The "jellyfish" is dangerous because of the poison in its tentacles and can cause a swim to become a painful and for people who are allergic deadly encounter. This picture is of one that has finished its journey after getting stuck on the rocks at high tide. The tentacles have melted into a glimmering mass (to the right), the rest of it is swelling into a decaying balloon. Very stinky! But fascinating nevertheless...
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