Officials Warn Tourists As Giant Toxic
Giant Jellyfish Alarms Maine Beachgoers
A massive lion’s mane jellyfish, nearly 5 feet wide, recently washed up on Willard Beach in South Portland, Maine, prompting safety warnings. The city posted on Facebook: “Spotted this weekend at Willard Beach: A nearly 5-foot wide lion’s mane jellyfish!” and advised, “Don’t touch it! They sting…notify a lifeguard.”
These jellyfish can grow longer than blue whales—up to 120 feet—thanks to their trailing tentacles. The Wildlife Trust warns they “give a very nasty sting, so consult a doctor if swelling or weals are severe.”
Sightings have increased since 2014, according to Nicholas Record of Bigelow Laboratory. “In a typical year, the biggest ones…are the size of a dinner plate…this year…I’ve gotten several reports…five feet across.”
Though common in the Gulf of Maine, their size and abundance this year are unusual. Record notes, “They’re generally a sub-Arctic species…and that’s what makes it unique.”
