Man O’War

The Man O’ War or Bluebottle is a fascinating creature. It is actually four animals with specialised functions living together. Each has a different role to play – digestion, reproduction, hunting (the tentacles) and the float or sail.

The float is about 6cm across and the tentacles are up to 1m long. The tentacles dangle down in the ocean fishing for prey to sting and then drag up to the digestion section. The float’s role is to keep it drifting on the surface. It can be right-sailing or left-sailing and is believed to prevent them from crowding together.

The common name, Man O’ War refers to a battle sailing ship armed with cannon from the 16th to 19th centuries.

A word of warning! It is important not to allow your visitors, kids, or dogs to touch them as the poison in the tentacles, given the right conditions, can remain active for over a week. I know of a dog that became curious and touched one. He suddenly collapsed and needed to be seen by a vet.