Page 84 - World of Animals - Deadly Predators
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BOX JELLYFISH
One of Earth’s most deadly predators, and it doesn’t even have a brain
Words Ella Carter
loating through warm, tropical catch unsuspecting prey that swim into its barbs that are laced with a potent toxin.
waters across the world, various trap. But the box jellyfish is actually able to Once they’re triggered by the presence of
species of box jellyfish can be see quite clearly, and move actively around prey, each barb in each cell springs out to
found hunting in the shallows. For in its environment. What’s more terrifying deliver a carefully measured dose that kills
such
F a simple-looking creature – is that without the presence of a brain, it’s prey almost instantly. This adaptation is
gelatinous and brainless with long, trailing not really known how the jellyfish’s nervous to make sure struggling fish or shrimp
tentacles – these creatures can cause a system processes what it sees! are neutralised quickly, so as not to
whole world of devastation. The predatory trump card held by the box damage the delicate tentacles.
The most deadly species are found on jelly is venom, which is thought to be one However, the venom is so toxic
Indo-Pacific and Australian coasts. At first of the most toxic in the world. Each of its that for a human, a run-in
glance its hunting style appears almost tentacles are covered with special stinging with a box jellyfish can
opportunistic, using long trailing tentacles to cells called nematocysts, which contain tiny be fatal.
BOX JELLYFISH
Chironex fleckeri
Lifespan One year
Adult weight 2kg (4.4lbs)
Conservation status
DATA DEFICIENT
TENTACLES
Laced with nematocysts
primed and ready to deliver a
toxic shock, tentacles can reach
up to three metres (ten feet).
© Getty
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