Our oceans are filled with a wide array of incredible marine creatures, many are worth admiring, but some should be avoided at all costs. From the cone snail to the stonefish, each creature listed below is capable of inflicting an incredibly painful sting, hospitalization, and even death.
Though scientists have only explored five percent of the world’s oceans, they’ve already discovered, according to the World Register of Marine Species, nearly 230,000 various nautical creatures, with still new ones identified every year.
On this list, readers will find five of the most dangerous ocean creatures(except sharks).
Read exciting facts about dangerous sea creatures with their dangerous aspects by Pritish Halder below:
1. Chironex (Box Jellyfish)
Dangerous aspects: deadly sting that has been known to kill people.
The box jellyfish doesn’t have sharp teeth, big mouth or venomous bite but this is the most dangerous in the ocean. Known also as the sea wasp, this creature is more accountable for deaths of human in the Australian continent than sharks, saltwater Australia, and snakes put together.
- Although there are 50 or so species of the box jellyfish found in warm coastal waters, very few hold venom that is actually lethal to humans.
- This jellyfish itself grows up to 15 tentacles that can reach up to 3m in length. Along each of the tentacles lies about 5,000 stinging cells that are triggered by chemicals on the skin of animals or humans.
- The toxins that lie within the venom of a box jellyfish are known to attack the skin cells, nervous system, and heart. Humans who have been stung can go into shock and drown, or die due to heart failure before they have a chance to reach the shore.
- Their bell is shaped like a four-sided box, with a cluster of six eyes on each side. The sides allow them to steer through the water and move up to six metres per minute.
- It has been found that the box jellyfish can lose up to 30% of its own body weight within 24 hours if it does not eat.
Previously running from November through May, the Australian box jellyfish season has been extended due to the rise in sea temperatures. The warmer waters have attracted many more jellyfish, some of whom can be found in our waters until July.
2. Blue-Ringed Octopus
Dangerous aspects: contains enough poison to kill up to 20 people.
The blue-ringed octopus is a beautiful and deadly species of small octopus that lives in tide pools in the Pacific and Indian oceans. They are easily recognizable due to their yellow skin and blue and black rings. Their normal prey is crabs, shrimp, and other small animals.
This octopus is only about 20cm (8in) long, but it is one of the most venomous animals in the ocean. Its bite causes paralysis in the muscles and can easily kill an adult human. The bite is so deadly because the octopus has toxic saliva. The octopus grabs prey, such as crustaceans and fish, and bites them to inject the venom. Sometimes the octopus just releases its saliva into the water and waits for the venom to paralyze its victims. Blue-ringed octopuses live in the shallow waters of rocky shores from Australia to Japan. These octopuses get their name from their bright blue rings, which pulsate (throb) vividly just before they bite, warning other animals to keep away. The blue-ringed octopus is packed with enough venom to kill 26 people within minutes.
3. Lionfish
Dangerous aspects: venom on their spines that causes incredible pain.
Experts speculate that the lionfish gets its name from its long, luscious dorsal spines that loosely resemble a male lion’s mane. And like its namesake, the lionfish is a powerful predator—though instead of relying on fangs and ferocity, it depends on the venomous sting of its spines, which can cause pain, respiratory failure, and, in extreme cases, paralysis.
The lionfish is a beautiful venomous marine fish that’s also sometimes called a zebrafish or firefish. They are colorful, usually sporting red, white, and black bands. They have distinctive spiky fins that radiate out around their bodies.
Lionfish are great predators and are often a hazard to divers and fishermen. If stung, a human being will experience everything from extreme pain to vomiting and difficulty breathing. One might also experience diarrhea, heartburn, headache, and numbness. Their venom is rarely fatal, but there have been examples of extreme allergic reactions resulting in hospitalization and death.
4. Cone snail
Dangerous aspects: a drop of their venom can kill up to 20 human beings.
Though shell collectors lust after the complex carapace of the textile cone snail, even the bravest and brashest wouldn’t dare get too close to a live one. Though tiny, these vicious snails can inject venom through their radular teeth capable of paralyzing and killing a human.
Cone snails are a group of extremely venomous sea snails. There are over 600 species around the world. They are capable of stinging humans, despite their mundane appearance, and should never be handled. Their shells are often colorful, displaying interesting and complex patterns. An unfortunate attraction for humans and a deterrent for predators. Their venom is extremely toxic and can be fatal to humans. Interestingly, that same venom has been studied for the medical uses it may have.
5. Stonefish
Dangerous aspects: heart-stopping, extremely painful venom.
A strange-looking creature in which despite its size, is considered a venomous fish that’s existing. It has a camouflaged body that can hide in between the rocks which add to it being dangerous. Its dorsal fins are so sharp that it can pierce straight into your shoes, so better watch where your stepping at.
The stonefish is regarded as the most dangerous living fish. They’re found along the coasts of the Indian and Pacific oceans. Their stings are excruciating and can result in hospitalization and even death. Most commonly, swimmers step on these fish, pushing the venom into the bottom of the foot. Sometimes, stings also result from swimmers picking these fish up in the water or even on the beach.
Reference
https://oceaninfo.com/list/dangerous-sea-creatures/
https://10mosttoday.com/10-most-dangerous-sea-creatures/
https://bestlifeonline.com/dangerous-sea-creatures/
