Map
Box Jellyfish Range
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The Box Jellyfish is also known as the Sea Wasp or the Marine Stinger.
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photo; http://www.livescience.com/
Credit: Anders Garm Tropical-dwelling box jellyfish have a cube-shaped body, and four different types of special-purpose eyes: The most primitive set detects only light levels, but another is more sophisticated and can detect the color and size of objects |
Box jellyfish are marine invertebrates belonging to the phylum Cnidaria. Unlike most jellyfish that belong to the to the class Scyphozoa, box jellyfish belong to the class Cobozoa, so-called because of their characteristic cube-like shape. They are also considered far more complex than their Scyphozoan counterparts. The sea wasp or Chironex fleckeri, is one of the nineteen species that belong to this class.
credit/source: http://www.jellyfishfacts.net/box-jellyfish.html
- Class Cubozoa
- Diameter Up to 10 in (25 cm)
- Depth Near surface
- Habitat Open water
- Distribution Tropical waters of southwest Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean
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| oceana.org |
The Box Jellyfish's Lethal Venom
The sting of a box jellyfish causes excruciating pain and skin damage and can leave permanent
scars. In severe cases, death may occur from heart failure or drowning following loss of consciousness. A box jellyfish antivenin is available in Australia.
In northern parts of the country, some beaches are closed to the public for periods between November and April when the jellyfish are most abundant.
scars. In severe cases, death may occur from heart failure or drowning following loss of consciousness. A box jellyfish antivenin is available in Australia.
In northern parts of the country, some beaches are closed to the public for periods between November and April when the jellyfish are most abundant.
source: http://oceana.org/en/explore/marine-wildlife/box-jellyfish
Treatment of stings
Its microscopic stinging cells are present at up to 5,000 per centimeter of tentacle length. Once a tentacle of the box jellyfish adheres to skin, it pumps nematocysts with venom into the skin, causing the sting and agonizing pain. Successful use of Chironex antivenom by members of the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade showed that Acetic acid, found in vinegar, disables the box jelly's nematocysts that have not yet discharged into the bloodstream (though it will not alleviate the pain). Common practice is to apply generous amounts of vinegar prior to and after the stinging tentacle is removed. Removal of additional tentacles is usually done with a towel or gloved hand, to prevent secondary stinging. Tentacles will still sting if separated from the bell, or after the creature is dead. Removal of tentacles without prior application of vinegar may cause unfired nematocysts to come into contact with the skin and fire, resulting in a greater degree of envenomation.
Although commonly recommended in folklore and even some papers on sting treatment, there is no scientific evidence that urine, ammonia, meat tenderizer, sodium bicarbonate, boric acid, lemon juice, fresh water, steroid cream, alcohol, cold packs, papaya, or hydrogen peroxide will disable further stinging, and these substances may even hasten the release of venom. Pressure immobilization bandages, methylated spirits, or vodka should never be used for jelly stings. In severe Chironex fleckeri stings cardiac arrest can occur quickly, so cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be life saving and takes priority over all other treatment options.
credit/source: http://openwaterpedia.com/index.php?title=Box_jellyfish
