Wildlife officials at several New Jersey beaches have issued warnings after dozens of Portuguese Man o' Wars washed ashore.
The jellyfish-like creatures usually ride north on the Gulf Stream current, since they prefer the current's mild waters. Sometimes, however, strong winds can blow them closer to shore during their journey, which is probably how these guys got the invite to your beach day.
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If come across a Portuguese Man o' War -- it's easy to mistake for a Ziploc bag -- do not pick it up. The creature's sting is far more painful than the sting of a common jellyfish; despite their gelatinous appearance, they're not actually jellyfish, from a scientific standpoint.
And if you're swimming, stay alert. Its tentacles generally grow between 10 and 30 feet in length.
If you get stung, your symptoms will vary depending how much contact you had with its tentacles. Head for dry land, lift off any tentacle remnants (with an object like a stick, though -- not your hands) and quickly wash the wound with seawater, not fresh water. The sting should then heal well on its own.
Enjoy your weekend at the beach.