Cape beachgoers warned to be careful of Portuguese man-of-war 'jellyfish'

YARMOUTH, Mass. — People heading to Cape Cod beaches are being warned to watch out for Portuguese man-of-war "jellyfish."

Several of the dangerous sea creatures have washed up on beaches recently, according to the Yarmouth Division of Natural Resources.

Man-of-wars are not actually jellyfish, despite the what the Yarmouth Natural Resources Facebook post says, but a sea creature with a similar appearance. It's actually a colony of organisms working together that cannot swim. It has dangerous tentacles that contain a potentially deadly poison.

Swimmers who see a man-of-war should notify the lifeguard immediately and avoid the area. The "jellyfish" moves by floating with the current.

Cox Media Group