More than ten rare and enormous jellyfish, nicknamed the 'pink meanie', have been spotted along a 10-mile stretch of Texas beach this week, startling beachgoers with their expansive tentacles that can stretch up to 70 feet.
The pink jellyfish, scientifically known as Drymonema larsoni, can weigh over 50 pounds and have tentacles reaching up to 70 feet, according to Jace Tunnell, director of community engagement at the Harte Research Institute. Tunnell said he had been trying to capture one on camera for over a year.
Their appearance coincides with an influx of moon jellyfish, their primary food source. Tunnell noted that pink meanies only bloom when large numbers of moon jellyfish are present, making sightings rare. 'If there’s no moon jellies, they die off real quick. If the water gets cold, they die off real quick. So to be able to see them is pretty rare,' he said.
Despite their intimidating size and name, pink meanies deliver only a mild sting, which Tunnell rated a 'two out of 10.' He advised caution and suggested using vinegar to remove tentacles and alleviate stings. He also warned that, despite their cotton candy-like appearance, they are not edible.
Pink meanies have been spotted in the Gulf of Mexico, the Mediterranean Sea, and waters near South Africa. Like other jellyfish, they are mostly water and evaporate quickly once washed ashore, with birds and crabs feeding on them.
