Page 240 - NS-2 Textbook

OCEANOGRAPHY 235

Sea tJrchin
TO " INCHES IN D1A.,
SPINES TO 1 FOOT LONG

Killer Whale
TO 35 fEET

TO 6 FEET

Manta Ray
Tridacna TO 20 fEET WJDE
TO 3 fEET LONG Stone fish
Some of the dangerous animals of the seas.

founded. Bites usually OCClli' when captured specimens pulling them out. Scraping will break them off and may
are being handled. Bleeding from a bite is profuse, indi- cause infection. The wound should be rubbed with alco-
cating that clotting is retarded by the venom. A burning hol to soothe discomfort.
sensation, nausea, and swelling are likely. The victiIn Sea urchins occur in large numbers in coastal "\,\Taters.
usually recovers, but at least one death has been reported They have a round body covered with needle-sharp
from the bite of a small, unknown variety of octopus. spines, many of 'which are poisonous. They are a real dan-
Bloodworms and bristleworl1ls have tufted, silky bris- ger to swinuners, waders, and divers. The spines, poiso-
tles in a row along each side. These bristles can penetrate nous or not, can inflict deep puncture wounds. Those with
the skin in the same manner as cactus spines. Their poison are long, slendel; shalp, and hollow, enabling them
strong jaws can also inflict a painful bite. The bristles and to penetrate deeply into the flesh. They are extremely brit-
bite of a bloodworm result in a pale area that becomes tle and are likely to break off. The tip of the spine has tiny
hot, swollen, and numb or itchy. Bristle-worm irritation pincers and a sense bristle that releases the venom. This
may last several days. Bristles are best removed with a apparatus will continue to inject poison into the victim for
forceps or by placing adhesive tape over the bristles and several hours after parting from the sea urchin.