Dangers and Beauty of the Great Barrier Reef: The Box Jellyfish

Have you ever thought of visiting the Great Barrier Reef? It is a beautiful place to go but there are dangers you must be aware of. One of these dangers hidden by the sea is the Box Jellyfish.

These creatures are pale blue in color, transparent and cube shaped with four sides, of course this is where it gets its name. They are sometimes called Sea Wasps because of their sting, which is sometimes deadly. The Box Jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) kill more people than stonefish, sharks, sea snakes and crocodiles combined. They prey on small crustaceans and tiny fish.

Box Jellyfish like to be around river mouths and creeks, after it rains. In fact, they lay their eggs in the rivers of fresh water. When it is high tide they move to shallower waters. They don't like deep waters or rough seas. They also avoid being over coral reefs and areas that have a lot of sea grass or weeds.

They are found frequently on beaches where people are, and to step on the tentacles could mean sudden death. You could be swimming and those same tentacles with suction cups can brush against your body stinging you repeatedly. Don't swim alone because just one encounter can render you helpless and if you are by yourself, you would not make it to the shore for help. Box Jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) have caused at least 63 deaths in Australia to date.

The tentacles on the Box Jellyfish are up to sixty in number and grow to five meters in length. They are positioned in four groups at the corners of the bell shaped creature. In a full grown jellyfish the bell can be as large as a basketball. The tentacles are charged with up to approximately five million stinging cells called (nematocysts). They are triggered when stimulated by certain chemicals found on the surface of shellfish, fish and humans. If you come in contact with these, just three meters of tentacles can kill an adult. There are approximately twenty species worldwide but the Box Jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) are the most lethal. They have clusters of eyes on the sides of the box or head; some of the eyes are surprisingly sophisticated, with a lens and cornea, also an iris that can contract in bright light and also a retina. Their speed and vision leads some researchers to believe that Box Jellyfish actively hunt their food. They are certainly good at avoiding very small objects and humans, which is amazing! The Box Jellyfish uses jet-like propulsion for mobility, they can move at speeds of four knots.

The seasons to watch out for Box Jellyfish starts in Northern Australia around October through April, further south along northern Queensland or northern Western Australia the season is from November to March. When they arrive on the beaches this prevents swimming in the surf, unless the beaches have stinger nets and you must wear protective swimming gear, as not to be stung. You have no chance of surviving the venomous sting, unless you are treated immediately. If you are swimming and stung by the jellyfish, the pain is so excruciating and it overwhelms you. You will go into shock and drown before reaching the shore. Please be sure to know the first aid procedures before going into the water.

Even though I have warned you of the dangers of the Box Jellyfish, there are many beautiful things about the Great Barrier Reef in Australia that are a must to see. So go visit and have a great time, just be aware of the dangers that lurk on the beach at certain times of the year and in the oceans below.