THE PORTUGUESE MAN OF WAR

DESCRIPTION:
The Man of War is a dangerous kind of jellyfish which floats or sails along the surface of warm oceans. It is also known as the blue bottle. It has a gas filled bag which looks like a bladder which floats above the water and acts as a sail. This float can be up to 30cm in length. The Man of War is found mainly in warm seas. Sometimes thousands are found floating together. The sting of The Man of War is very painful and can cause fever, shock and heart and lung problems.

WHAT TO DO IF STUNG:
Wash with water
Do not rub
Do not apply vinegar
Get medical help

INTERESTING FACTS:
The Man of War is actually a colony of several different types of polyps which each have a different job to do eg. catch food, digest food and to reproduce.
It can deflate its sail during bad weather to float just beneath the surface of the water.
It can sail across the wind and set course.

The Grade Two researchers were:- Jessica W, Min Qian, Nathan G, Chris L, Dane H, Edward B, Chris W, Alice D, Michelle S, Tina H, Andrew W, Andrew L, Aylin F, Kymberley R, Robert V, Shae H, Cameron S, James H, Lucas B, Sam F, Stephanie H, and Nicholas K (Gr 1).
Picture by Tina H.

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