Creature Feature

1. Creature Feature

2. Box Jellies

3. 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!

4. 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

5. 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

6. Lionfish(Pterois volitans)

7. 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

9. 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

11. 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

12. Problems • They were not likely to survive long in the colder waters • Predatorsand 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)

13. Gulper Eel (Eurypharynx pelecanoides)

14. 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

15. 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

16. Mouth is loosely-hinged • Stomach can stretch and expand to accommodate large meals • Typically eats fish, copepods, shrimp, and plankton

17. Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

18. 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

19. Spend the tropical wet season in freshwater swamps and rivers • Move downstream to estuaries in the dry season • Sometimes traveling far out to sea

20. Opportunistic apex predator • Eat pretty much ANYTHING they want!! • Prefer to bask during the day • Hunt at night/dusk

21. 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

23. Salties vs. Freshies Saltwater Croc American Alligator

24. Australian Freshwater Crocodile