Rare Jellyfish Stings Swimmers in Southern California Beach [VIDEO]

Rare giant jelly fish recognized as the black sea nettle were spotted in the waters of Laguna Beach, California on July 4^th  and reportedly several swimmers enjoying the holiday suffered stings

Swimmers at Thousand Steps Beach in south Laguna reported severe stings all over their bodies,  according to the Orange County Register,

Those who witnessed the scene claimed that most of the jellyfish were already dead as the currents dragged them to shore. Witnesses noticed that the jellyfish were capable of stinging post-mortem. Most people who ventured into the waters emerged with clumps of dark membrane clinging to their skin.

Informally known as the black jelly fish, the massive black sea nettle (Chrysaora achlyos) is mainly found in the deep calm waters of the Pacific Ocean. They are carnivorous and feed on other jellyfish and zooplankton. Their dark purple bell can reach up to three feet in diameter and they have oral arms extending up to 20 feet. The tentacles of nettle are covered with multiple microscopic nematocysts. These nematocysts consist of a trigger called cnidocil. They are responsible for the stings jellyfish deliver. When they sting humans they cause a painful sensation that can last for forty minutes: (Source Wikipedia).

Data according to Monterey Bay Aquarium states that the massive jelly fish were spotted along the shoreline in San Diego during the summer of 1989. And since then they vanished leaving no trace and reappeared again in 1999. It was in 1997 that the scientists had named this jelly fish.

Nigela Hillgarth of Birch Aquarium in La Jolla said that it was only recently that they appeared in Southern California. Hillgarth believes that the warm ocean current might have drawn the jellyfish closer to the shore in hunt of  prey and they were trapped by the current and thrown ashore, reports The Associated Press.