Thousands of jellyfish wind up on Florida beach

Monday, April 4, 2016
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL -- Thousands of jellyfish washed ashore on Florida's Hallandale Beach.

Authorities posted photos to the city's Facebook page last Thursday.

The bluish-purple jellyfish are called "velella" or nicknamed "blue sailors." They are not known to sting, but they often travel with stinging Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish.

The sea critters have bodies designed to allow them to sail away from shore.

However, strong winds can catch the fins and carry them onto beaches.
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City officials say it happens about every three years.
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