The Australian Jellyfish

The Australian box jellyfish, or Chironex Fleckeri, is the most venomous marine animal known to mankind. These creatures live in the coastal waters of Northern Australia and throughout the Indo-Pacific Ocean. C. fleckeri are distinguished by their pale blue, transparent color (which makes them almost invisible in water) and get their name from the cube-like shape of their bell. Each cube or box side can measure up to 20 cm and each tentacle can grow up to 3 meters in length. There are about 15 tentacles on each corner that contain about 5,000 stinging cells. These animals are highly advanced among jellyfish. They contain clusters of eyes on each side of their box allowing them to see. They can also propel themselves forward reaching speeds of up to 3 or 4 knots. All other jellyfish simply drift.

C. fleckeri venom contains toxins that attack the heart, nervous system, and skin cells, sending the victim into shock or heart failure immediately. If the animal or human survives they will have considerable pain for weeks and severe scarring from the tentacles.

Literature Cited:

Straw, R. (2005). The Box Jellyfish: Australia’s Other Marine Killer, The Journal of Young Investigators, 12 (5) retrieved 5 December 2010 from http://www.jyi.org/features/ft.php?id=189