Portuguese Man o’ War Facts and Information Physalia physalis Introduction If you don’t know what you are looking for, you could swim by a Portuguese Man o’ War and never know it. They are invertebrates that look like jelly so many people overlook them in the water. It is often mistaken for a but it isn’t classified in that area. Instead, it belongs to a group of organisms called zooids. Portuguese Man o’ War Description The main part of the Portuguese Man o’ War is clear and looks like jelly. That is what is often above the surface of the water.

They have a sail like design that allow them to easily stay afloat. Below the surface though are the squiggly lines of the body that are a light shade of blue. Those are the tentacles and where they have venom. Class Hydrozoa Order Siphonophora Family Physaliidae Genus Physalia Portuguese Man o’ War Distribution They live in the warm waters of the seas around the world. They are often found floating on the top of the oceans. They seem to thrive in the tropical and subtropical areas. Both the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean are full of them.

They may end up in the Atlantic Gulf Stream due to wind and current. Portuguese Man o’ War Behavior The Portuguese Man o’ War has no way of controlling its body in the water.

It is completely dependent upon the current of the water. The wind can also influence their movement as can any type of natural disaster. To help them be well protected they are able to produce venom. When they come into contact with something in the water they are going to release that venom. Each year more than 10,000 people get stung by them due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Aptana Debugger Extension Install Firefox Failed To Connect more.