A sea creature that can “cause serious pain if touched by humans” due to a sting that makes you feel like you’re on fire has been found in the Atlantic and Mediterranean
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Venomous fireworms wash up on central Texas cost
Brits going for a paddle this summer on UK beaches could face a creature from “your worst nightmares” whose sting makes you feel like you’re on fire, it is warned.
Amphinomidae, better known as fireworms for their venomous touch, have been arriving on the central Texas coast in recent weeks but they could also wash up anywhere in the world.
Their bodies are covered with neurotoxin-filled bristles that break off upon contact, and now beach-goers are being urged to keep their distance. According to the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, they are also found in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and are “your worst nightmares”.
Jace Tunnell, director of community engagement at the institute, said those who were stung could expect the initial agony to last for hours, followed by weeks of irritation. He said: “These fireworms have been washing up along the central Texas coast over the past week on logs covered in gooseneck barnacles, which is their food source.
“They are six to 12 inches in size and look like a large earthworm with white bristles coming from the top of each segment of the worm. They are dark brown in colour and have small heads with little antennae.” He continued: “Fireworms in this family are known to cause serious pain if touched by humans.
“The reason it’s called a fireworm is: when it stings you, it feels like fire, it’s got these bristles all over it, lining the whole thing. The bristles easily break off on the skin and some have neurotoxins that can irritate the skin and leave marks on the sting site for weeks. As far as we know, there are no deaths from the stings, only serious stings that are intense for a period of about three hours and can leave the skin sensitive for weeks after.”
They can also reproduce asexually, and will only multiply if cut in half. And it’s not just beach-goers in Texas who need to be cautious. Mr Tunnell said: “These creatures can be found around the world, especially since they float on debris in the ocean currents. We’ve had lots of debris washing up over the past few weeks with gooseneck barnacles, which is their main food source.
“So our guess is that they are just showing up because of ocean currents and winds bringing them up on the debris they are riding on. However, if a beach-goer is not looking for them, they could be hard to find. Our hope is that by letting folks know that these worms are washing in, they will know what to look for and can tell others.”
Jace captured some footage of one of the creatures, an Amphinome rostrata. For those determined to take a closer look, he said they were best observed in water. He said: “They are such a cool-looking creature if you can put them in water. I suggest taking photos and then releasing them back into the ocean.”
