Similarly,
Stressing tropical animal several meters:
Reported in several places on the Basque coast. Furthermore, it is very far from her house, the physalia physalis. For example, Rather endemic to tropical seas. Consequently, this marine animal, which is not a jellyfish, causes bites enough to encourage the authorities to close the beaches where its presence has been observed.
At the end of last week. Nevertheless, five beaches located between the municipalities of Bidart and Anglet were emptied of their holidaymakers and closed after the discovery of specimens of Physalia Physalis. However, Five beaches are affected by “a strong presence” of these marine animals according to, South West.
“Portuguese galley”. In addition, “sea bladder” – Stressing tropical animal several meters
In this region, it is no longer truly exceptional, the grounding of Physalia having been observed regularly for several years. Meanwhile, This is also the case. Furthermore, but more rarely, on the rest of the Atlantic coast and stressing tropical animal several meters even even in the North Sea, according to Ifremer. Consequently, In 2020. the Belgian anti-poison center had also launched an alert on the “completely exceptional” presence of Physalia Physalis “at the beginning of March”, on the raversijde beach, a town close to the border with France.
But why this creature. also called “Portuguese galley” or “sea bladder”, do she worry the authorities so much? Already. if physalie looks like a jellyfish, if it is 90 % water like a jellyfish and if it floats on the surface like a jellyfish … it is not a jellyfish. It is a “siphonophore hydrozoal cnidary” of the family of “physaliidae”, details the Ifremer. A “colonial form of more or less modified and specialized polyps”, specifies the institute. Each polyp. or stressing tropical animal several meters group of polyps, has a very specific job overall that physalie forms: hunting, defense, reproduction, displacement, nutrition and poop.
Tentacles 10 to 40 m long
One of the polyps will form the “float”. this big purple thing about twenty centimeters that we see on the surface of the water. Under this float. a little like an iceberg, we will find the most imposing of the beast: tentacles measuring between 10 to 40 m long. Or rather the “filament filaments”, composed of very stinging polyps responsible for paralyzing prey, explains the Ifremer. For humans, this is with that it is not good at all to get in touch.
“Contact with physalie causes immediate intense pain, skin and itching zebraures,” warns the anti-poison center. “The toxin produces a very painful bite that can cause a state of shock for the victim,” says the Ifremer. Within 15 minutes after the bite arise signs whose gravity is stressing tropical animal several meters variable. This can go from simple nausea, vomiting or acceleration of pulse to much more serious symptoms. “Pain in chest. abdomen, breathing difficulties, muscle and joint pain, discomfort, dizziness, fever”, lists the anti-poison center, even an “allergic reaction”.
Our file on jellyfish
In short, the best is not to be bitten. And if that were to happen, you must “avoid rubbing and rinse abundantly with sea water”, advises Ifremer. And consult a doctor if it’s not going.
Further reading: Football – Euro (F) – Spain: Tome: “This team deserves everything” – Georges Ibrahim Abdallah Liberated, after forty years of detention – In Türkiye, 50.5 ° C measured Friday in the south-east of the country, a temperature never reached – Should we look at the new episode with Pierre Deny, Clémence Lassalas and Thomas Da Costa broadcast this Monday, July 14, 2025 on TF1? Our opinion – Salma Paralluelo, the hope of the sprint that ended at Barça and in the Spanish team.
