Environmental Group: Portuguese Man O' War Now Spotted Along Much Of Long Island
MONTAUK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The dangerous and venomous Portuguese man o' war has now been spotted along Long Island from Robert Moses State Park all the way to Montauk, according to an environmental group.
The Long Island Coastal Conservation Research Alliance said on Facebook Wednesday that Portuguese man o' war have been spotted at Robert Moses; Kismet, Davis Park and Cherry Grove on Fire Island; Tiana Beach in Hampton Bays, and the bay and ocean side of Montauk.
The bright blue creatures with their long tentacles have also popped up along the Jersey Shore beaches multiple times this summer.
The sea creatures look similar to jellyfish, but each one is actually a colony of multiple creatures called zooids that are physically attached together. And they look pretty, but they pack a painful and dangerous sting.
On Tuesday in Davis Park on Fire Island, multiple people reported getting stung by a man o' war. Among them was a 5-year-old boy.
Also Tuesday, a 7-year-old boy was on shore in nearby Kismet, Fire Island when he came into contact with a man o' war. He was taken to North Shore-LIJ Southside Hospital in Bay Shore and was expected to make a full recovery.
Anyone who does come into contact with a Portuguese man o' war should make sure to get far away from the organism, and then rinse the wound with saltwater – not freshwater.
Experts blame warmer waters this summer for bringing the creatures bobbing our way, CBS2's Dave Carlin reported Tuesday.