WILDLIFE
Jellyfish
The main jellyfish that will sting on the North coast are Lion’s Mane and Compass jelly fish
Weever Fish
Weever fish are around during summer and will give you a nasty sting!
The ‘mane’ of fine frill like tentacles surrounding the base of the reddish brown bell give these cold water loving creatures their name. Although one of the world’s largest jellyfish, the most common size found on the North Coast measure on average 40 cm in length with a sting often equated to that of an ‘electric shock’, sometimes parts of the tentacles which have broken off and are floating in the water can also sting.
What if I spot a Lion’s Mane jellyfish?
In the water – leave immediately.
On the sand – avoid it and do not touch as they can still sting even out of the water.
These translucent jellyfish have orange-brown stripes coming outwards from there centre of their bell shaped top, like a compass, hence their name. They measure on average 30cm in diameter with four dangling frilly ‘arms’ and twenty four long tentacles. Their sting, though not dangerous is painful, similar to that of a nettle sting.
What if I spot a Compass jellyfish?
In the water – leave immediately.
On the sand – avoid it and do not touch as they can still sting even out of the water.
- Use sea water only, do not use fresh water to rinse the sting area
- Use the edge of bank cards or tweezers to remove any spines left in the skin
- Use paracetamol or ibuprofen painkillers if required
Found in the waters of the North Coast in summer, weever fish are small colourful creatures, at their largest reaching 30 cm in length with fine needle-sharp spines along their back. These strange fish sink when they stop swimming, spending much time in the sand of the seabed and lying on sandy beaches where they can live for long periods of time out of the water. Most weever fish stings happen on the beach when people unknowingly step on them with bare feet and are like a bee sting or feel like the foot is ‘on fire’, the pain often increases and travels up the leg.
What if I spot a Weever Fish?
In the water – leave immediately, though they are extremely difficult to spot.
On the sand – avoid it, though they are extremely difficult to spot.
- Seek the help of a lifeguard if available
- Immerse the foot in the hottest water that can be tolerated for 10 – 15 minutes
- Once pain has subsided use tweezers to remove any spines
- Leave the wound open
- Continue to treat with hot water until the pain subsides
- Use over the counter painkillers if needed