Portuguese man o' war spotted following recent storms
An 'unusual visitor' has been spotted on the Manx shoreline in the form of a Portuguese man o' war.
The vivid blue animals resemble jellyfish and, following recent storms, have been reported on beaches around the Island.
One has been photographed on Douglas Beach by Island resident Jon Russell-Dunn, a regular recorder of marine shoreline species.
The Manx Wildlife Trust says, with its bright colour, it's easy to see how marine animals might mistake plastic waste for prey.
While fascinating to see, the Portuguese man o' war's tentacles can still deliver a painful sting even days after death and people are being reminded to admire them from a distance.
"We see them roughly every ten years." - Dr Lara Howe
Marine Officer Dr Lara Howe explains what they are and why they're here:
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