Overview

• A nearly 5-foot-wide lion’s mane jellyfish washed up at Willard Beach in South Portland over the weekend, surprising beachgoers with its size.
• City of South Portland officials warned swimmers not to touch the creature and advised observing it from a safe distance while lifeguards stand ready to return stranded specimens to the water.
• The Weather Channel reports that lion’s mane jellyfish have been washing ashore in Maine more often than usual this year and reaching sizes larger than typical.
• Ipswich Police in Massachusetts issued swimmer alerts on Monday after receiving multiple reports of lion’s mane jellyfish in local waters.
• As the largest species of jellyfish, lion’s mane tentacles can stretch up to 120 feet to capture prey, making encounters potentially painful and dangerous.