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What are the jelly blobs on the beach in Florida?

It gets weirder. The name of the blob is “Sea Pork.” “Sea Pork is what scientists call a colonial tunicate,” said James Douglass, Associate Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University's The Water School. “It's a rubbery, invertebrate animal that lives in the ocean.”



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While most jellyfish do not sting, Florida has several species (including those pictured) that sting. Contact with tentacles (even those that have broken off) can cause red, raised streaky welts that can last from 1-2 weeks and cause severe pain, tingling, itching, and even nausea and headache.

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Why are there so many jellyfish in Florida right now? Until a shift in the weather comes with rainfall and a northern wind, Wehrhahn said the jellyfish will stick around. Jellyfish can move up and down in a water current column but are not strong enough to fight it.

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The most dangerous jellyfish is generally the Man-of-War (which is technically not a true jellyfish). It is easily identified by its appearance. Another jellyfish that delivers a painful sting is the sea nettle. Less potent stinging jellies include the cannonball jelly and the moon jelly.

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Jellyfish season in Miami / South Florida can arrive as early as May and can last until October. Usually, they peak in August or September.

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