Summertime is in full swing – with days spent at the seaside, building sandcastles, taking a dip and enjoying a refreshing ice cream.
However, one visitor to Llandudno was left stunned by what he discovered during his coastal trip. Joel Gabriel had hoped to capture photographs of the stunning landscape. But he never anticipated stumbling upon enormous “alien” jellyfish that had washed ashore.
The 31-year-old, who was enjoying an early morning stroll along the coastline during low tide, dubbed the otherworldly creatures “danger pancakes” camouflaged against the sand.
He remembered: “Seeing the jellyfish and their sizes really surprised me. Jellyfish are already dead by the time you find one. They’re 95% water and dehydrate within minutes of washing ashore.
“They’re basically a digestive system with some tentacles. They don’t have a brain. But they can still sting.”
Joel initially failed to notice the specimens, mistaking them for rocks. And after posting images of his discovery online, he triggered a wave of responses.
One user jokingly quipped: “Free hats.” Another commented: “Jellyfish are so unsettling, as are mushrooms. I’m convinced they both must have arrived on a meteor or something.”
A third person remarked: “In my experience, Wales is crazy for jellyfish.”
Meanwhile, one commenter wrote: “Christ, I didn’t realise we had jellyfish in the UK and that they can be so big and stingy! Adding this to the list of reasons I’m scared of the sea.”
One individual humorously commented: “I’m sorry, but that first one looks like a placenta.”
Another person remarked: “Very cool, they’re so alien, but this is a major reason I stick to swimming in pools.”
So, what should you do if you encounter a jellyfish?
The best course of action is to avoid contact. If you are swimming and spot one or more jellyfish, it’s advisable to swim away calmly or exit the water to prevent being stung.
According to the NHS, if you do get stung, most stings from sea creatures in the UK are not serious and can be treated with first aid.
However, it’s crucial to keep an eye on the situation or ring 111 for advice as there may be instances when you need to visit a hospital.