It’s Rare, It’s Huge, and It’s on Our Beach—6 Things to Know About the Monstrous Willard Beach Jellyfish

Giant Lion's Mane Jellyfish Willard Beach South Portland

This... this is exactly why people say they're terrified of the ocean. One day you're sunbathing and walking the shore line with your family, the next you're running into a 5 foot wide, wild ocean creature lurking a bit too close for comfort.

Also Read: 3 Beautiful Ocean Front Bars You Can Dock Your Boat Up To

What is a Lion's Mane Jellyfish?

Forget sharks, I'm now deathly afraid of lion's mane jellyfish. If you haven't already seen this 5 foot wide guy washed up on Willard Beach this past weekend, here's what was captured out of South Portland:

Here's some things to know about these mystical creatures, according to Oceana.

1. The lion’s mane jellyfish is one of the largest jelly species in the world, growing to an average length of 1.5 feet (40 cm), but can reach lengths of 6.5 feet (200 cm).

2. The lion’s mane jellyfish is named after its “mane” of long, hair-like tentacles hanging from its bell.

3. A lion’s mane jellyfish has up to 1,200 tentacles divided into eight clusters.

4. Lion’s mane jellyfish hunt by extending their tentacles outward and creating a trap that captures prey like fish and crustaceans.

5. The largest lion’s many jellyfish ever recorded was 120 feet (36.5 m) long.

6. The lion’s mane jellyfish delivers a powerful sting that can be very painful to humans.

Should you pee on a jellyfish sting?

Well, my entire childhood is a lie now. Celevlandclinic sets the record straight by saying that peeing on a jellyfish sting will actually make the sting worse and more painful. So don't do that.

Thank god because one of my biggest nightmares is having to publicly pee on one of my besties because their ass got stung by a damn jellyfish for being too juicy. Stay safe friends.