TikToker Unknowingly Licks A Deadly Portugese Man O’ War

Why would you even pick up a jellyfish in the first place? I’m surprised this person came out unharmed, too! Popular TikTok user alexa_reed2 posted a video of himself prodding, picking up, and worse - licking a blue ‘jellyfish’ that was laying on the beach. The not-so-fun addition to this episode is that Alexa picked up  a Portuguese Man o' War (or Bluebottle), one of the most dangerous creatures in the ocean: 

Portuguese Man o' Wars are actually siphonophores, not a single animal but made up of a colony of organisms working together, though closely related to jellyfish. Known for their intensely painful stings that leave welts in unfortunate swimmers that are caught by their tentacles, these "floating terrors" frequent the beaches of Australia and are responsible for up to 10,000 stings to humans per year. There have even been reported cases of Bluebottle stings resulting in death, particularly in vulnerable people. 

Surfers and ocean swimmers are well-versed in the danger these creatures represent, but it appears many people – including this TikToker – can't identify them when they wash up on the beach.  

Another TikToker by the name of mndiaye_97 did a fantastic round-up of why the Man o' War should be kept at extreme distances, in case you don’t believe us. Check out the video, which went viral shortly after the original post, below. 

Luckily, Alexa appears to have come off unscathed. However, the video does provide a couple of important learning points. Firstly, if you are traveling abroad and wish to enjoy the wildlife, try to learn the common and potentially dangerous ones so you can steer well clear of them. Secondly, and most importantly, never pick up (and please, please don’t lick) any wildlife you may find. Native plants and animals should be admired from a safe distance, so they can be there for years to come. And who knows, staying far away might just save your life.

Image via IFLS