A rare mauve jellyfish found off Jersey Shore with stinger cells throughout its body was spotted

The rare mauve-stinger jellyfish has been seen along the Jersey Shore. It can sting not only from its tentacles, but also from other parts of its body.

The Wildlife Trusts describes the species of jellyfish as “a bluey purple (mauve) color with a globe shaped umbrella covered in orangey brown warts. From the bell .”

, long and thin tentacles reach down.

The species are not usually found close to the shore. Why are they leaving the open ocean, where they can be found?

“Boy, that’s like the $64,000 question,” said Paul Bologna, the director of the Marine Biology and Coastal Sciences program at Montclair State University, to NJ.com.

Mr. Bologna suggested a variety of natural factors that could cause mauve-stingers to occur, such as a lack or normal rainfall, colder open oceans, wind and tides, and a dearth of rain.

Having intruded upon a community of people late in the summer, the stingers naturally live up to their nickname.

” We have numerous reports of people being stung from Sandy Hook to Ocean County,” Liza Baskin , a marine biologist told New Jersey.

The mauve-stinger is able to sting through more than its tentacles. It can also sting through many other areas of the body including its bell, which makes up a large portion of the exterior.

Stinging can happen regardless of whether the specimen is dead or alive.

“Sometimes, people grab dead jellyfish by their bells — but that shouldn’t happen with this one since it can still bite you,” Ms. Baskin explained to NJ.com.

How bad can their sting be? To find out, Mr. Bologna allowed himself to be stung.

” I was like “How terrible could it be?” and immediately used four-letter words. It was intense pain, Mr. Bologna told NJ.com.

White Vinegar, saltwater rinse and a hot compress all work well to prevent stings.

Read More