Creature Feature

Box Jellies

Box Jellies • Phylum Cnidaria; Class Cubozoa (box

jellies)• Best known for their extremely

powerful venom• Highest risk period for the box jellyfish

is between October to May

• Abundant in the warm waters of northern Australia and Indo-Pacific

• Global warming is allowing them to inhabit new areas!

Sea Wasp (Chironex fleckeri)• Tentacles are covered in a high

density of nematocysts• Sting causes excruciating pain and

can kill in as little as 3 minutes• Amount of venom in one animal is

enough to kill 60 adult humans• Is believed to be the most

venomous creature in the world• Live on a diet of prawns and small fish • Preyed on by turtles, which are the only creatures

known to be immune to their stings

Irukandji Jellyfish (Carukia barnesi)• 2.5 cm (with bell and tentacles) in

diameter• Sting causes symptoms which are

collectively known as "Irukandji syndrome“

• Initial sting is typically mild • Followed, minutes to hours later, by: – Vomiting– Profuse sweating– Headache and agitation– Rapid heart rate and very high blood pressure

Lionfish(Pterois volitans)

• Range in size from 6-12 inches

• Ambush predators• Are primarily

associated with coral reefs

• Venomous dorsal spines are used for defense

• Stings can last for days and cause extreme pain, sweating, and respiratory distress

• Widely used in the aquarium trade

• 2000 -2003, 49 lionfish sightings were reported at 16 different shipwrecks and natural hard bottom locations.

• Summer 2004 NOAA scientists collected 155 lionfish at 19 different locations off the North Carolina coast alone.

• Indicates that the lionfish is reproducing in the Atlantic Ocean

Invasive?

• Released from broken aquariums during hurricane Andrew in 1992

• Released as unwanted pets– Grew too large for tank– Ate other fish in tank

• The Gulf Stream likely transported buoyant lionfish eggs and larvae from Florida northward

Problems• They were not likely to survive long

in the colder waters• Predators and competitors present in

the marine community in the Atlantic are very different from the native range of the lionfish.–May outcompete native

species (ex. Grouper and Snapper)

Gulper Eel (Eurypharynx pelecanoides)

Saccopharyngiformes

• Order of unusual ray-finned fishes

• Lack several bones, and have no scales, pelvic fins, or swim bladder

• 3-6 feet in length

• Found in all tropical and subtropical seas at depths ranging from 900 to 8,000 m (3,000 to 26,200 ft)

• Lateral line is raised – increases sensitivity

• Due to its specialized body shape, they are poor swimmers

• Relies on the luminescent organ at the tip of its tail to attract prey– Consists of numerous tentacles, which – Glows pink and gives off occasional bright red

flashes– Lunges and snaps up prey

• Mouth is loosely-hinged• Stomach can stretch and expand to accommodate

large meals• Typically eats fish, copepods, shrimp, and plankton

Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

• Reptile• 70 year lifespan• Average 1,000 lbs• Average 13-17 ft in length• Population estimates

range from 200,000 to 300,000 worldwide

• Protected species in Australia

• Cruise at 2 to 3 mph• Swim 15 to 18 miles per hour in short bursts

• Spend the tropical wet season in freshwater swamps and rivers

• Move downstream to estuaries in the dry season• Sometimes traveling far out to sea

• Opportunistic apex predator• Eat pretty much ANYTHING

they want!!

• Prefer to bask during the day

• Hunt at night/dusk

Attacks by Crocs!

• Keep croc areas well posted• Most attacks are fatal• Usually only one or two

attacks• Most unreported attacks

most likely occur in New Guinea

Salties vs. Freshies

Saltwater Croc American Alligator

Australian Freshwater Crocodile