Although we thought the throne was held by some kind of spider or serpent, the most poisonous animal on the planet is the sea waspa jellyfish that is characterized by having so much poison inside that it would be capable of killing more than 600 people. They’re not exactly sea sponges.
Although it is impossible to make an exact calculation, since 1954, there have been more than 5,500 deaths related to its sting. And not for nothing, this singular jellyfish you are about to encounter has such a deadly ability that it has even been Mentioned in more than one film production.
Before you, we present to you the sea wasp (Chironex fleckeri), jellyfish and the most venomous animal that inhabits the earth. You will find out where it is, how it lives and what its characteristics are. So you can get a real idea of their profile.
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Learn more about the sea wasp
If you search the internet for the most poisonous animals in the world, the sea wasp will cover virtually any blanket. It is considered so deadly that if you come across one from afar, it is better to run than to force.
It is also known by the names of box jellyfish, cubozoa jellyfish, box jellyfish and even box jellyfish. All related to their particular and hypnotizing form. Its square body is protected by its 60 tentacles whose length can even exceed 3 meters when they are in the adult phase.
And even if its venomous tentacles reach this dimension, its body will not exceed 20 centimeters, that is, we will have in front of us at most a jellyfish the size of a basketball. Although it should not be trusted!
They are translucent and glow in the dark, which allows them to be located in a much more comfortable way. Its color is pale blue, while they are not exactly popular due to their life expectancy, which does not exceed six months.
However, they are because have 4 groups of 20 eyes each, which allows it to be differentiated from any other jellyfish. Remember that jellyfish are known to lack vision, while this species is the exception. Even if it is unclear if they are able to see through them.
Where does the sea wasp live and what does it eat
Finding the sea wasp in Spain is not a common practice. There are very few references to this jellyfish on the Spanish coast, although it is true that some specimens have been located on the coasts of the Mediterranean. However, they have always been variants of the more dangerous species.
And speaking of the most dangerous species of jellyfish, Would you know in which corner of the planet they are usually found? The Australian continent is known worldwide for hosting some of the most dangerous and curious species on the planet, where the sea wasp could not be an exception.
They are usually found in the waters of northern Australia., even if the currents bring them dangerously close to the coast. In the oceans Pacific and Indian are also found, however, their presence has also been detected in Philippines, Vietnam or New Guinea.
And if we focus on its diet, we will say that the sea wasp feeds on everything that comes close to it, such as various types of algae. Although the dominance plankton and small animals who yield to curiosity. They are not hunters, however. any object that gets in its way will automatically become its prey.
Sea wasp sting
cnidocytesit is the element that allows the sea wasp jellyfish to be considered the most venomous animal that exists. Cnidocytes are microscopic hooks distributed in the tentacles of jellyfish. They are estimated to exceed 5 billion in a single copy.
It is inside that the poison is, hence the importance of avoiding contact with them in order to prevent these hooks from penetrating the skin and depositing the poison. A single bite can cause extreme pain and necrosis.
And in case your curiosity is piqued and you want to know what this poison contains to make it so aggressive, know that contains toxins and proteins capable of directly attacking the nervous system, the heart and even the respiratory system. Cardiac arrest is the most common death in humans who receive their sting, although paralysis due to extreme pain is also possible.
And now that you know all about sea wasps, How about taking a dip at the beach? Fortunately for us, it is not common to see them surveying our coasts given the climatic conditions of the Mediterranean. And don’t panic! There are many other risks at sea much closer and invisible, like microplastics.
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