Beware Of Portugese Man O' Wars Found On Jersey Shore Beaches

They're back!

Some unwelcome visitors have returned to the beaches of the Jersey Shore

The Beach Haven Beach Patrol is warning visitors to be careful along the shoreline over the next few days, since borough staff recently discovered several Portuguese Man O' Wars on the beach, according to an alert issued by the patrol.

Don't go near them, even if you spot one dead on the beach.

"Even when dead their toxins remain dangerous to pets and humans," the alert states.

Other sightings include Island Beach State Park, Bay Head and Lavallette, according to Jersey Shore Hurricane News.

Portuguese man-of-wars are covered with venom-filled nematocysts that can paralyze fish and other small creatures, according to Nationalgeographic.com.

“For humans, a man-of-war sting is excruciatingly painful, but rarely deadly,” according to the website. “But beware — even dead man-of-wars washed up on shore can deliver a sting.”

Images: Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol