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3. What is a Portuguese Man o’ War?

**What is a Portuguese Man o’ War?**  The Man o’ War is a species of **siphonophore**, a group of animals that are closely related to **jellyfish**. The Portuguese man o’ war is recognized by its balloon-like float.*The Portuguese man o’ war is recognized by its balloon-like float, which may be blue, violet, or pink and rises up to six inches above the water line. Image credit: Elizabeth Condon, National Science Foundation* The  Portuguese man o’ war, (*Physalia  physalis*) is  often called a jellyfish, but is actually a species of siphonophore, a group of  animals that are closely related to jellyfish. A siphonophore is unusual in  that it is  comprised of a colony of specialized, genetically identical  individuals called zooids — clones — with various forms and functions, all working together as one. Each of the four  specialized parts of a man o’ war is responsible for a specific task, such as floating, capturing prey, feeding,  and reproduction. Found mostly in tropical and subtropical seas, men o' war are  propelled by winds and ocean currents alone, and sometimes float in legions of 1,000  or more! Resembling an 18th-century Portuguese warship under full sail, the man o’ war is recognized by its  balloon-like float, which may be blue, violet, or pink and rises up to six  inches above the waterline. Lurking below the float are long strands of  tentacles and polyps that grow to an average of 10 meters (about 30 feet) and may extend  by as much as 30 meters (about 100 feet). The tentacles contain stinging nematocysts, microscopic capsules loaded  with coiled, barbed tubes that deliver venom capable of paralyzing and killing  small fish and crustaceans. While  the man o’ war’s sting is rarely deadly to people, it packs a painful punch and  causes welts on exposed skin. Beachcombers  be warned: The stalwart man o’ war may still sting you even weeks after having  washed ashore.
 More **Information** What are jellyfish made of? Fact vs. fiction: 3 things you thought you knew about jellyfish   Get **Social** Social
  **Last updated:** 08/24/23 **Author:** NOAA How to cite this article Contact Us


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