The tide was receding while we were wandering along Cooks Beach, Coromandel, when we stumbled upon perhaps the most interesting sea creature we have yet encountered up close. Spotting the huge globby mass on the sand we were immediately struck by both the size and the colouring of it.
We began guessing what it was. First, feeling quite sure that it was a jellyfish, we then started doubting our guess as we inspected it more closely. We started questioning, if in fact, it was actually the intestines of a sheep because that was exactly what it looked like to our untrained eyes. The only way to know of course, was to turn to Google.
Comparing our find with the pictures and information, we deduced it was likely to be a jellyfish. It measured a huge 1.25m x 75cm and at a guess, it looked very like a species of Lions mane Jellyfish (Cyanea capillata). Apparently these jellyfish are the biggest species of Jellyfish in our waters and are reasonable common to the New Zealand coastline. They can’t see, don’t have a brain and can give a painful sting.
Having recently been swimming in the sea, we were all taking weary glances at the water thinking of the possibilities of there being more. We had spent the last few days swimming at Opito Bay, Coromandel. At low tide we had been swimming in what felt like a sea of transparent jelly as it was thickly infested with small harmless ‘crimson jelly’ which are native to New Zealand. However, while we had come to terms with that phenomenon, this new gelatinous mound posed a whole new level of ‘ickyness’ and I can safely say – I prefer the view from a kayak rather than being in the water after seeing one of these magnificent beasts!
Replies