RE: Australian Wildlife that can Kill (Maybe)

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Australian Wildlife that can Kill (Maybe)

in photography •  8 years ago 

Probably the Box Jellyfish. From Wikipedia

Once a tentacle of the box jellyfish adheres to skin, it pumps nematocysts with venom into the skin, causing the sting and agonizing pain. Flushing with vinegar is used to deactivate undischarged nematocysts to prevent the release of additional venom. A 2014 study reported that vinegar also increased the amount of venom released from already-discharged nematocysts; however, this study has been criticized on methodological grounds.

Removal of additional tentacles is usually done with a towel or gloved hand, to prevent secondary stinging. Tentacles can still sting if separated from the bell, or after the creature is dead. Removal of tentacles may cause unfired nematocysts to come into contact with the skin and fire, resulting in a greater degree of envenomation


By Avispa marina.jpg: Guido Gautsch, Toyota, Japanderivative work: Mithril (talk) - Avispa marina.jpg, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15374006

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I think I've seen similar jellyfish!
It was indeed causing rash and terrible itchiness. A friend of mine got a swollen eyes after swimming on the beach. So yeah, that time we were assuming he was in touch with a nasty jellyfish !

  ·  8 years ago (edited)

That's a standard jelly fish, you can find them all around the world for the most part. That box son of a bitch up there will kill you quicker than most can get out of the water! Still worth the risk though, the coral reef is amazing :D


PB270080.JPG
Unedited​ photo of a small part of the Great Barrier Reef
(So, ignore the blue tinge.. everywhere! Lol)

I scratched my legs while diving among corals but it definitely worth the risk and I can say the fishes were amazing ! just like on that picture :)