THE ATLANTIC SEA NETTLE - MAMA-PEPPER PETS HER FIRST JELLYFISH

This was the first time we ever saw this species of jellyfish.

While visiting the Gulf of Mexico at South Padre Island, we encountered a new species of Jellyfish that we had never seen before. It always seems to be something different each time we head down. With thousands of venom filled cnidocytes on each of their tentacles, the Sea Nettle can not only capture its food, but can also cause some painful skin irritation on people who happen to encounter it.

However, if you avoid the stinging tentacles, you can "pet" or at least touch the jellyfish, which is what I was doing and even let Hive account@mama-pepper give it a try. She wasn't so sure at first, but after watching me do it, she gave it a go. It was a very interesting jellyfish to encounter, and I found two while we were there. Below are some more photos.