Fascinating Insights into the Blue Bottle (00016697)

Description: The Blue Bottle (Physalia utriculus) is a captivating yet highly dangerous creature of the seas. Despite its bluish purple and transparent appearance, this Portuguese man-of-war's highly toxic tentacles pose a serious threat. Each individual organism in the polyp colony has a specific function that contributes to the survival of the Blue Bottle. The long tentacles, which can grow up to 10 meters in length, are equipped with up to 1000 nematocysts per centimeter and are used for hunting prey. Contact with these tentacles can lead to severe health issues in humans, so caution is advised. Discover more about this fascinating yet perilous creature and the risks it poses to swimmers and beachgoers.

Location: Western Cape, Küste Gansbaai, South Africa

Date of Capture: 17.08.2005