A unique encounter with the Blue Bottle off the coast of South Africa (00016671)
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Description: The Blue Bottle, also known as Physalia utriculus, is a fascinating yet dangerous creature. This Portuguese man-of-war consists of a colony of polyps working together. The distinct bluish gas bladder serves as a warning of the peril beneath: tentacles reaching up to 10 meters long, each with thousands of nematocysts per centimeter. The poison of the Blue Bottle causes muscle contractions, respiratory failure, and cardiac arrest. A swimmer off the coast of Karachi once encountered a swarm of Blue Bottles, barely making it to shore after being stung. Immediate medical attention is crucial.
Location: Western Cape, Küste Gansbaai, South Africa
Date of Capture: 17.08.2005