Box Jellyfish

ocean · deadly · incredible venom · jellyfish family

Cube-shaped body. Box jellyfish get their name from their boxy, square-shaped bodies that look like underwater cubes. This unique shape makes them totally different from other jellyfish, which are usually bell-shaped and round.

Extremely venomous. Some box jellyfish, like the Chironex fleckeri, make venom so powerful that just touching their tentacles can cause extreme pain or even be fatal to humans. Scientists think this venom evolved to help them catch and eat their prey super quickly.

Found in warm waters. Box jellyfish live in oceans around Australia and other warm tropical places. They drift through the water with their tentacles trailing behind them, which is where the dangerous venom cells are located.

Different danger levels. Not all box jellyfish are equally dangerous. While some species like Chironex fleckeri are extremely deadly, other species like Carybdea murrayana give a painful sting but won't hurt you seriously.