1 The Portuguese man-of-war got its name because it looks like a war

ship on the water’s surface. It is also as dangerous as one. Some

people think it is a jellyfish, but this sea creature is actually a group
of tiny animals working together. The Portuguese man-of-war
prefers warm waters such as the tropical parts of the oceans, which
are good sources of food. They float in groups, sometimes with
more than 1,000 men-of-war. They cannot swim on their own, so
they float wherever the wind or the sea takes them.
2 Although the man-of-war floats on the surface, its tentacles are
under the water. The tentacles are the long, thin parts of its body
that it uses to get food. The tentacles help the man-of-war survive.
They can be up to 165 feet (50 meters) long. Each of these
tentacles has poison, which the man-of-war uses to kill fish and
other small sea creatures that swim into its tentacles. In fact, even
when it is dead, this creature can still sting. Whereas the sting is
fatal for most fish, it rarely is for humans, but it is extremely painful.
3 Common signs that you have been stung are a feeling of burning
and a redness of the skin. If you are stung, you should take the
following steps. First, remove any parts of the tentacles that may be
stuck to your skin. Be careful not to touch them with your fingers.
Then, apply salt water or fresh water. You can also apply heat or
cold to help the pain. People who have more serious reactions
should see a doctor.