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BOX JELLYFISH

Fast Facts
Scientific Name : Chironex Fleckeri
Common Name : Sea Wasp or Marine Stinger Kingdom : Animalia

Phylum : Cnidaria
Class : Cubozoa Type : Invertebrate Group Name : Fluther or Smack Size : 10ft (3m) long, 10in (25cm) across Weight : up to 4.4lbs (2kg) Average Life Span : less than a year Diet : Carnivore

Box Jellyfish range

Size relative to a 6ft (2m) man

BOX JELLYFISH
Chironex is a hybrid of the Greek words chiro (hand) and the Latin nex (death) Abundant in northern Australia coastal water and throughout the IndoPacific Bell or cube shaped with four distinct sides, hence its name box jellyfish Transparent and pale blue in colour Each tentacle has about 5,000 stinging cells (nematocyst), which are triggered not by touch but by the presence of a chemical on the outer layer of its prey Able to shoot itself up to speeds of 4 knots (1.8m/s), in a jet-like motion

BOX JELLYFISH
Season
In Australia, the season of box jellyfish, when they are mostly found, lasts from October to April every year. In Hawaii, there is no season for box jellyfish and they can be found throughout the year. But, they are normally found for 9 to 10 days after a full moon. In the Great Barrier Reef also, box jellyfish can be found in all seasons.

Sting and Venom

Develops powerful venom to instantly stun or kill their prey, like fish and shrimp. Known as the Suckerpunch of the sea since it is almost transparent and its sting can rarely be detected, until the venom is injected. Its venom contains toxins that attack the heart, nervous system and skin cells. Death can occur within minutes, sometimes before the victim can reach shore.

BOX JELLYFISH
Did you know?

Box jellyfish is a cool meal to sea turtles Sea turtles are apparently immune to box jellyfish sting and regularly eat them

THE WORLDS MOST VENOMOUS CREATURES: BOX JELLYFISH. Its venom can stop a heart within minutes

ASSASSIN IN THE WATER

Good Fortune Saves Box Jellyfish Victims Life

The box jellyfish is one of the most venomous creatures in the world. Its venom is so overpoweringly painful that its victims often go into shock and drown or die of heart failure. If that wasnt bad enough, there is no effective antivenom for the box jellyfishs sting. The venom attacks the heart, nervous system and skin, induces shooting muscle pain, vomiting and a rapid rise in blood-pressure. Rachael Shardlow experienced the deadly sting first hand and survived.

Rachael Shardlow, 10, was swimming in the Calliope River in Queensland, Australia when she felt the sting of the box jellyfish on her legs. Her 13-year-old brother puller her to the shore and she told him that she could not see or breathe. A few moments later she went unconscious where she remained for roughly 30 minutes.

Rachael Shardlow

EXTENSIVE STING: Rachael sustained horrific burn-like lashes across her left leg and body

SCARRED: Rachel recovering after her ordeal in the Calliope River

Good Fortune Saves Box Jellyfish Victims Life

Rachael, with her brother, Sam, mother Ruth, and father, Geoff, The young girl spent six weeks in the hospital recovering before she could return home. Aside from scarring to her legs and some short-term memory loss, Rachaels father says that she is in good health. Doctors are reviewing the incident in the hopes of finding a more accurate cure to the box jellyfishs sting.