A lot of marine life is washed up on the beaches along the Portuguese coast during winter storms. One of these creatures I want to tell you about is the Portuguese boat jellyfish - "Portuguese Man o' War". It got its name because of its unusual shape, which resembles a boat.

The most dangerous part of this jellyfish are its tentacles, which can reach up to 30 centimeters. However, despite its dangerous appearance, it also has a bright neon color that warns of its presence. In fact, the Portuguese Man o' War  is not actually a single jellyfish, but rather a colony of four polyps working together as one. Each polyp has a specific job, such as reproduction or producing poison.

These polyps cannot move on their own, but instead move with the help of wind and currents. During my time in Portugal, I only saw them a few times on the beach. This indicates that they do not really like the country.

To avoid any problems, it is important not to step on a severed tentacle of this jellyfish, as that is where the poison resides.. But if this happens, it would be best to consult a doctor immediately. In nature, sea turtles and nudibranchs are also enemies of this creature. And here are some photos that I took when I witnessed this amazing sight.