The Box Jellyfish/Sea wasp : one of the most lethal fish By Thibaut Dubédat

The creature : This creature of 2 kg is :  gelatinous  with 60 tentacles which can reach a length of 3 m One tentacle contains 5000 stinging cells called nematocysts, which produce one of the fastest working toxins. 2

Feature of Sea wasp Tentacles are covered in a high density of nematocysts Sting causes excruciating pain and can kill in as little as 3 minutes Amount of venom in one animal is enough to kill 60 adult humans Is believed to be the most venomous creature in the world 3

The diet, predator of Sea wasp Live on a diet of prawns and small fish Preyed on by turtles, which are the only creatures known to be immune to their stings 4

Shape of a box Jellyfish : Box Jellyfish are pale blue and transparent, and bell or cubed shaped with four distinct sides, therefore its name : box jellyfish. the average size at sexual maturity is 20 to 30 cm in bell diameter 5

Injuries inflected by a box jellyfish No chance of surviving to the venomous sting, unless treated immediately. The pain is so excruciating and overwhelming that you would most likely go into shock and drown before reaching the shore. 6

Umbrella shape Tentacles around mouth Mobile, Free-swimming 7 A box jellyfish is a medusa

The body of a Sea Wasp She has : nematocysts (like little harpoons) in their tentacles to catch food and for defense. Simple muscles and nerves but no brain But a a noncentralized nerve net (to be able to detect and respond…) 8

The tentacles of a medusa 9 Have nematocysts (stinging cells) Coiled thread discharges like a harpoon Contains neurotoxin Paralyzes prey Discharged nematocyst

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To resume : the different parts of a jellyfish 11

General things about box Jellyfish Highest risk period for the box jellyfish is between October to May Abundant in the warm waters of northern Australia and Indo- Pacific Global warming is allowing them to inhabit new areas! 12