The Portuguese Man-of-War
The Portuguese man-of-war is a relative of the jellyfish, though it looks more like a deflated balloon. It is mainly present in the Atlantic Ocean, living on the water’s surface and moving wherever the waves carry it rather than bothering to propel itself. Man-of-wars have polyps, structures that serve several functions including feeding, reproduction, and protection. Its tentacles can reach up to 50 meters long and are equipped to inject a paralyzing poison into its prey. The venom can cause fever and shock in humans, but pouring saltwater over the sting site is said to help relieve it.