Introduction - Box Jellyfish
The Box Jellyfish (also called Sea Wasp or Marine Stinger) is one of the most dangerous animals in the world. Although it is not responsible for many human deaths per year its venom is so lethal that if stung there is little chance of survival. How many people are killed by the Box Jellyfish each year is unknown; however some experts believe more than 100 people die from stings from one of the numerous species of these animals that inhabit the world's oceans. Estimates of the fatalities caused by Box Jellyfish vary greatly due to the fact that many countries where they are found do not keep death records or statistics on causes of death. On this page we list interesting facts, written for kids and adults, about this animal including information on where it is found, what it looks like, and why it is so lethal.Click here for a great selection of Amazon.com books about the Box Jellyfish.
Box Jellyfish Interesing Facts
- There are over fifty known species Box jellyfish found in the world.
- Victims of this animal feel incredible pain when stung and can go into shock very quickly.
- These lethal animals can be found in many areas of the world, including the California coast, however their main habitat are the tropical waters of the western and Central Pacific Ocean and in the Indian Ocean.
- A 2005 paper written by scientist at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia states that the jellyfish has a dart that pierces the human skin through which a toxin is sent that enters the human's blood stream. This toxin can raise the blood pressure to a dangerous level where the victim's heart stops causing death.
- This jellyfish has a nervous system that is more developed than other species of jellyfish.
- Box Jellyfish have 24 eyes in clusters all around their body. Most other species of jellyfish do not have any eyes. These eyes are a great advantage in helping them avoid predators and to find prey.
- The average life span of a Box Jellyfish is less than one year.
- This animal's nickname is the "Sucker Punch Jellyfish" due to the fact that most human victims never see them coming.
- An interesting fact is that these animals are unlike most jellyfish in that they are able to maneuver in the water; not like most other jelly fish that have no power over where they float to. This ability enables them to hunt for food as opposed to hoping food just happens to drift pass them and helps them to avoid predators.
- This Jellyfish's diet includes various fish, crustaceans, fish eggs, and plankton. Their large stomachs allow them to eat a lot at one time. They immobilize their prey with their sting and then swallow it whole.
- Turtles and some species of fish are predators of the Box Jellyfish. The shell of turtles protects them from being stung.
- Jellyfish evolved on earth over 700 million years ago and just how and why the Box Jellyfish developed such a lethal sting is not known although most experts believe it is likely its exceptionally strong venom evolved due to the need to defend against large predators.