"Gobsmacking" #s Of Stinging Bluebottle Jellyfish Washing Ashore In Multiple Australian States
Armadas of alien-like sea creatures have been washing up on Australian beaches thanks to the warm weather but experts warn people should look but not touch.
Jellyfish expert Dr Lisa-ann Gershwin said bluebottles had been washing up on beaches across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania in “gobsmacking numbers” over the last few months thanks to the warmer weather. “They’re having a really fun time this year and they’re definitely terrorising us this year,” Gershwin said. “They’re really strange alien creatures. There’s no two ways about it.
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Bluebottles excrete a microscopic mucus on their tentacles that is invisible and cannot be felt when touched but which contains thousands of stinging cells that are “armed and dangerous” as they inject venom into the skin on contact. Even where a person uses a stick to poke at the creature, it will collect the microscopic film which can then be found by a dog or other animal when left behind. There have also been cases where young children stomped on the animals and the venom has splashed into the eyes of someone watching.
Gershwin, who once allowed herself to be stung 80 times to test various methods at treating the stings, said the pain was “excruciating” with the closest comparable feeling akin to being splashed with scalding hot cooking oil. “I let my curiosity overwhelm my common sense,” she said. “It was, hands down, the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. Let me go on record: I paid a big price for it. I was in a lot of pain and I was very swollen. I do not recommend anyone do the same.”
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https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jan/20/terrorising-us-bluebottles-wash-up-on-australian-beaches-in-gobsmacking-numbers
