Box Jellyfish / Sea wasp
Chironex Fleckeri
The Box jellyfish are also known as box fish and sea wasp. It the most deadly marine animal in the worlds since they kill more people each year than any other marine animal and hae one of the fastest working toxins. The Box jellyfish (sea wasp) is primarily a problem in Australia and Hawaii. The Box jellyfish season in Australia is usually from October to April. They are usually found in shallow water and the present of Box jellyfish (sea wasp) is a clear indication that you should avoid swimming and other water activities. Most wet suits don’t protect you from them and you should use a specially designed Box jellyfish (sea wasp) safe wetsuits to be safe in these waters. There are however a poor mans trick. They can’t sting you trough nylon pantyhose’s if they cover the skin. This is why you often can sea Australian lifeguards with nylon stockings over there arms and legs. Box jellyfish (sea wasp) are never present on the Great Barrier Reef. There isn’t a clear Box jellyfish (sea wasp) season on Hawaii like there is in Australia and the Box jellyfish (sea wasp) is instead present all year around and can usually be found in shallow waters and on beaches around 8-10 days after the full moon. This species gathers near river outlets after rain.
Box jellyfish (sea wasp) have a bell or cube like form that are divided into form segments. The Cube like shape is what has given these jellyfish their name Box Jellyfish. They have a transparent body with a pale blue colour to it. They can grow to be about 20 cm (size of each side) and weigh 2 kg/ 4.5lb. Box jellyfish (sea wasp) has up to 15 tentacles in each corner of the cube. These tentacles can grow to a length of 3 m / 10 ft and are covered with stinging cells also known as nematocysts. Each tentacle on a Box jellyfish (sea wasp) can have up to 5000 of these nematocysts. They use these tentacles to catch their prey, small fish and crustaceans. The sea wasp can move with a speed of up to 4 knots. Box jellyfish (sea wasp) can unlike many other jellyfish sea thru 4 eyes. It is not know how they can process what they se since they lack brain but can by sight avoid colliding with the smallest of objects.
Their very potent venom is stored within the stinger cells which are triggered to release it by sensing the present of certain chemicals and not by touch. This means that you could touch a Box jellyfish (sea wasp) without being stung if your skin didn’t release chemicals. Once activated by the chemicals of your skin or fish scale they inject the poison into the victim.
Box jellyfish (sea wasp) stings can cause excruciating pain. The tentacles stick to the skin and should never be removed while they still are alive since this might increase the damage the do. The pain can remain for weeks if not treated and often leaves scar. Box jellyfish (sea wasp) sting are causing a high number of deaths each year in effected areas. The stings from the Box jellyfish (sea wasp) should be threaded by pouring vinegar (never methylated spirits) on the remaining tentacles. This will kill the tentacles and they can safely be removed. You should always get professional help when suffering from a Box jellyfish (sea wasp) sting to be given proper treatment and antidote to the venom. The stings can cause cardio respiratory arrest or arrhythmias. Ably pressure and immobilize the effected body parts for the transport to a hospital. Local pain caused by Box jellyfish (sea wasp) stings are usually best treated with ice.
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