Otaki TodayThousands of strange jellyfish greeted early morning walkers at Ōtaki Beach on March 23.
The jellyfish, identified for Ōtaki Today as lion’s mane jellyfish (cyanea rosea) by Earth Sciences, were washed up at the high tide mark overnight. Long-time Ōtaki resident Neale Ames said he’d never seen anything like it.
The jellyfish get their name from their spectacular, flowing tentacles that look like a lion’s mane.
One of the jellyfish, the size of a dinner plate, on Ōtaki Beach. Photo Ōtaki Today
They’re New Zealand’s largest species of jellyfish and can grow up to 2.5 metres in diameter with tentacles reaching up to 30 metres long.
Earth Sciences say little is known about the biology of these jellyfish.
Since being first sighted at Ōtaki, there have been reports of them on other west coast beaches, from Tītahi Bay up to Hokio Beach at Levin. There were also sightings last year on Nelson beaches.
Advice is not to go near them, even if dead – they can deliver a painful sting to humans and pets. If you’re stung, rinse with freshwater, not seawater.
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