Life under the sea is beautiful and very different.  Our first instinct is to pick up strange looking creatures that wash up on the beach.  Unfortunately, this is almost always a mistake.  Like land creatures, ocean creatures protect themselves with mechanisms that can be harmful to man.  The best rule for safety on the beach is “look but don’t touch.”

Additional information on treatment

Blue or pink-violet jellyfish with rainbow colored “floating sail.”  Up to a foot long, with numerous tentacles (up to several feet long) attached.  Uses the wind, tides and currents for movement (cannot propel itself).  Peak season is July through September.  The free floating tentacles “feel” for prey and attach themselves to release their venom.  Stings usually occur when people brush against the Man-of-War in the water or step on them on the beach.  Detached moistened tentacles, usually found washed ashore in fragments on the beach, can sting for months.  Even dry tentacles can be dangerous.

Smaller and less dangerous than other types of jellyfish.  Sting is moderately severe and painful. Stung areas resembles an itchy, red, raised rash.  If symptoms progress to nausea, aching muscles or drowsiness, seek medical attention.

Known as “demons of the deep” or “devil fish.”  Graceful creatures that vary in length from a few inches to 12 feet.  Non-aggressive bottom feeders; attacks are purely defensive.  Found in warm temperature oceans and entrances to rivers.  Stings usually occur when someone walking in shallow water steps on the animal (stinger is located about midway along whip-like tail).  Sting results in immediate sharp pain, redness and swelling, and bleeding.  Symptoms can usually last up to 48 hours.  Symptoms progress quickly and can include welts, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and increased heart rate.

Slimy-skinned fish with “cat whiskers” on its face.  Sting occurs when fish is handled and are usually not severe with salt water catfish.  The poison is located in the skin and under the fins of the catfish, NOT in the “whiskers.”  Symptoms may include intense throbbing or scalding pain spreading upward from the wounds and lasting 30-60 minutes.  Area quickly swells and is easily infected.  Muscle spasms usually follow, and victims may also experience episodes of fainting, decreased heart rate and slowed breathing.

Many species of frogs and toads reside in Florida.  They are amphibians and their reproductive cycles are closely bound to water.  Their eggs hatch under water and the "tadpole" must undergo metamorphysis to become an adult land frog or toad.  The skin of most frogs and toads remains soft and moist throughout their lives and they usually can be found around bodies of water or in damp places for this reason.

While the myth that frogs and toads can cause warts when handled is not true, some Florida frogs and toads can produce poisonous or foul-smelling substances in their skin.  Some frogs and toads will also urinate as a protective measure to ward off predators when handled.  Care must be taken not to transfer these secretions to the eyes or mouth.

The following Florida toads and frogs have the most irritating skin secretions: Cane or Giant Toad (Bufo Marinus), Eastern Spadefoot Toad, Cuban Treefrog and River Frog.  It is a good idea to wash your hands well after handling one of these creatures.

Not native to Florida, the Cane or Giant Toad was introduced to our state many years ago and has and is common to south Florida.  It is usually a rusty or orange-brown color.  This toad secretes a milky secretion in its parotid glands that is quite toxic and and has killed dogs and cats unlucky enough to try to eat it. Human exposures are not usually fatal but can cause severe irritation to the eyes and mouth if contacted.

Like the Bufo toad, this frog is not native to Florida but was introduced into our environment many years ago and has reproduced readily here.  The Cuban tree frog can change colors rapidly from light gray or pale green to dark brown and has the large sucker disk on it's toes associated with other tree frogs.  The secretions of this frog can be irritating to the eyes, mouth and skin and you should wash well after handling one.

For Poisoning Emergencies Call
1-800-222-1222 V/TTY