It is a sight to make even the bravest of beachgoers feel a little wobbly. But this 4ft jellyfish washed up on the North Devon coast should not put anyone off dipping a toe in the water. Despite its size, the Rootmouth Jellyfish – also known as the Dustbin-lid – is more or less harmless, with a ‘very mild’ sting. The scientific name of the species is Rhizostoma octopus, because of its eight major tentacles. It is fairly common off Britain and often becomes stranded ashore by currents and winds.
Second Wind 
Oh, Penny, that is GROSS!! And I just hope we are not having any kind of fish for dinner tonight!
dear gods you could get lost inside of that thing, it’s huge.OMG, its sting may be classed as relatively harmless, but does the sheer size of the thing not make a difference? I still don’t wanna be close enought to find out, that’s fer shooooer ;))love n hugsdebsxxx
What an incredible creature.
Blimey that’s so big. Poor thing, did it make it back into the sea Penny?
Dear Penny, thought I’d hop by for quick visit before going to dentist and find this enormous creature. How absolutely stunning and I marvel at such a bioform. On our beaches have never found a 3+ metre jellyfish and had not considered jellyfish grew quite so large. Do they just wash out with the tide again? Or does stranded mean, er, end of life? Thanks for awesome post.
Er, make that 1+ metre. I inadvertently created a sci-fi monster jellyfish.
Poor thing yet another morsel stranded and off course, take care and thank you Pen. xx
the gulf stream is still with us then despite Russian snow?
Jellyfish in water are so beautiful, but out of their element is another story.
Happy Valentines
I had a very serious allergic reaction to a Mn-O-War sting when I was 14. It had something to do with an anticoagulant in the venom. Ever since any sting from a jellyfish is dangerous so I avoid them if at all possible,
Not nice, Chip.