Trivia question for Sep-30-2011

Olivia read about these creatures and decided she might not be a fan of swimming in the oceans again.  Lets see what she learned.  These are the deadliest jellyfish in the world; its venom can kill a human in 4-minutes or less.

These guys trail 60 tentacles, each up to 15-feet long and armed with stinging cells.  Although the notoriously dangerous species of jellies are largely, or entirely, restricted to the tropical Indo-Pacific, various species of these jellies can be found widely in tropical and subtropical oceans, including the Atlantic and east Pacific, with species as far north as California, the Mediterranean and Japan and as far south as South Africa and New Zealand. Once a tentacle of one of these jellyfish adheres to skin, it pumps nematocysts with venom into the skin, causing the sting and agonizing pain. Successful use of Chironex antivenom by members of the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade showed that Acetic acid, found in vinegar, disables the box jelly’s nematocysts that have not yet discharged into the bloodstream (though it will not alleviate the pain). Common practice is to apply generous amounts of vinegar prior to and after the stinging tentacle is removed. Removal of additional tentacles is usually done with a towel or gloved hand, to prevent secondary stinging. Tentacles will still sting if separated from the bell, or after the creature is dead. Removal of tentacles without prior application of vinegar may cause unfired nematocysts to come into contact with the skin and fire, resulting in a greater degree of envenomation.

Here are Olivia’s questions:  Tell us what kind of jellyfish this is and also tell us which species will pirate the stinging tentacles from these guys to use them for their own defense.  Also, the millions of stinging cells in each one of these jellyfish contain enough venom to kill how many adults?

Good luck 😉

Answer:

Congratulations goes out to Timothy Bennett from Marietta GA for identifying the Box Jellyfish correctly. Box jellyfish are invertebrates distinguished by their cube-shaped medusae. Box jellyfish are known for the extremely potent venom produced by some species. They are among the most venomous creatures in the world. Stings from these and a few other species in the class are extremely painful and sometimes fatal to humans.

Nematocysts of the Box Jellyfish may be pirated by sea slugs, which use them for their own defense.  The millions of stinging cells in each Box Jellyfish contain enough combined venom to kill 60 adults.  Here is more on these potent jellies: Box Jellyfish

Thanks for playing along 😉