Box Jellyfish
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Box Jellyfish

Box Jellyfish

Australian or Indo - pacific Box jellyfish (Chironex Fleckeri ) is known to be another most venomous marine creature known to mankind as its sting is often fatal. This extremely poisonous marine stinger frequently found in Australia's Northern oceans all through the year. Although it is very dangerous during the wet season which is from November to April.

 

This bell or cube shaped jellyfish has four distinct sides, as per their name " Box " This is the largest box jellyfish species, the Chironex Fleckeri. The full grown box jellyfish measures up to 20 cm along each box side ( or 30 cm in diameter ) as well as the tentacles can be grown upto 3 metres in length. It's weight can be grow upto 2 kg. There are tentacles about 15 in each corner, and each tentacle has thousands of stinging cells. These cells are activated by the contact with certain chemicals on the surface of the fish, shellfish or humans as well. These Box jellyfish has no colour. They are mainly transparent or pale blue in colour, which makes them invisible easily in the water. It uses a Jet like motion towards.

 

 

As well as have clusters of eyes on each side the box. Some of these eyes are suprisingly sohisticated, with a lens as well as a cornea, an iris that can contract in bright light, and a retina. As per their vision and high speed some marine researchers believe that this box jellyfish hunts its pray. Some insist that they are passive opportunists meaning that they just wait for the prey to pass them or bump into their tentacles. They are very much careful and good at avoiding almost the tiny objects and probably at least try to avoid humans too. Chironex Fleckeri box jellyfish has caused at least 63 deaths the highest in 1884 in Australia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Kaushalya De Silva

Photo source : Internet

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