Some denizens of the deep would happily feast on us, but most are only dangerous if you attack them first. You can call this the “accidentally stepped on, poisoned and died” principle. In this case, who should you not step on?
The Portuguese man-of-war is a whole colony of jellyfish that hunts other marine life with the help of long poisonous tentacles. The base of the “ship” floats on the surface of the water at this time, but it is easy to miss. Every year they poison several thousand people.
Box jellyfish have long been famous as one of the most dangerous creatures off the coast of Australia. Their tentacles, numbering up to 60, reach a length of four meters. The poison of some of their species can paralyze a person with one touch and cause him to choke.
Blue-ringed octopuses are as legendary among mollusks as box jellyfish are among cnidarians. These are the most poisonous creatures in all the oceans of the world, the attack of which leads to paralysis and death.
Great white sharks are much scarier on screen than in reality, but that doesn't make them any less fearsome predators. At least 74 unprovoked attacks on people were recorded, including attacks on fishing boats.
Sea snakes are equipped with a more powerful toxic venom than their land-based relatives - simply because fish are not as sensitive to poison. Their venom, like that of all adders, has a paralyzing effect. Fortunately for people, they use their weapons mainly only when hunting, and if handled with care they do not bite.
Lionfish do not waste time on their spines, generously displaying them throughout their body. They very successfully hunt other fish, even capturing territories that are not necessary for the survival of their species. Due to their toxicity and prevalence, lionfish are a real headache for fishermen.
Crocodiles mainly prefer rivers, but their largest representative, the saltwater crocodile, is not at all averse to swimming in salt water. Males of this species grow up to seven meters in length and two tons in weight. Aggressive specimens often attack people.
Large barracudas are impressive predators, growing up to two meters in length. Their teeth are considered to be among the sharpest and most painful of all. sea world. Barracudas often follow divers out of pure curiosity, but they rarely attack. True, if this happens, then death is guaranteed.
Millepora, also known as fire corals, are extremely poisonous cnidarians with a deceptively harmless appearance. One touch to them will provide a person with a severe burn, which subsequently develops into an ulcer. This is not fatal, but contact can cause painful shock and loss of consciousness.
Warts, also known as stone fish, can boast not only of outstanding appearance, but also of terrible deadly poison! Extremely painful, too. Their back fin contains 12 sharp spines, each of which is equipped with a separate bag of poison. Considering the habit of warts to rest in shallow water, stepping on them and getting a dose of poison is a piece of cake.
Covering 70% of our planet, the sea is home to some of the most unusual, mysterious and deadly animals on the planet. Since humans are not born or live in the ocean, this makes us easy prey for many of these creatures, although fortunately we are not on their main menu...
As a man who has spent too much time floating on the surface of the sea, he has often tried to get closer and experience what lies below sea level. Fortunately, the statistics are not so frightening and it seems to be quite rare for a person to be eaten alive in open ocean. However, we should not think that the ocean waters are so welcoming to us; we should always be on our guard.
When selecting the most dangerous sea creatures in the world, we will take into account the attack statistics, killing potential and aggression of these animals. This list contains great amount species from tropical jellyfish to arctic killers.
10. Sea urchin
Photo. Toxopneustes (lat. Toxopneustes pileolus), sea urchin
Many of you have encountered sea urchins in your life, and some have learned how sharp their spines are and how painful it is to feel them in your skin. However, Toxopneustes pileolus does very well when it comes to defensive tactics. Described by the Guinness Book of World Records as "the most dangerous sea urchin in the world," it's one echinoderm you definitely shouldn't step on.
What makes this sea urchin What makes it so dangerous is the powerful poison it is equipped with. This poison contains at least two dangerous toxin: contractin A, a neurotoxin that causes smooth muscle spasms, and peditoxin, a protein toxin that can cause convulsions, anaphylactic shock and death. The venom is delivered through the pedicellariae, the flower-like structures that give this hedgehog its name. Once skin contact has occurred, pedicellaria often continue to pump venom into the prey. It is obvious that the size of these pedicellariae is directly related to the effectiveness of the venom.
Toxopneustes is responsible for many deaths that have occurred to people over the years. A hedgehog sting is very painful and can result in paralysis, breathing problems and disorientation, all of which can contribute to a person's drowning. As for the pain, here is an account of a bite recorded by a Japanese marine biologist in the 1930s:
“Then 7 or 8 pedicellariae stuck tightly into inner side middle finger right hand, separated from the stalk, they remained on the skin of my finger. I instantly felt severe pain, reminiscent of the pain caused by cnidoplasts of coelenterates, and I felt as if the toxin was beginning to quickly move through the blood vessel from the stung area to my heart. After some time I experienced difficulty breathing, mild dizziness, paralysis of the lips, tongue and eyelids, relaxation of the muscles in the limbs, it is unlikely that in this state I could speak or control my facial expression, I felt almost as if I was going to die." .
9. Barracuda
Photo. Great barracuda (lat. Sphyraena barracuda)
The photo above should be enough to understand why the barracuda is on our list. Reaching up to 1.8m (6ft) in length and armed with terrifyingly massive, super-sharp teeth, the torpedo-shaped barracuda is more than capable of causing serious injury to humans. In fact, there are 22 species of barracuda, but only the Greater Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) is known to attack humans.
The barracuda's diet consists mainly of small to medium-sized fish. She uses her lightning speed and ambush tactics to catch her. In many reported attacks on people, people were carrying shiny objects, such as jewelry and even diving knives. Apparently the barracuda is attracted to this and confuses them for a fish and strikes.
Such attacks can result in deep cuts, often leading to nerve and tendon damage or, in worst cases, ruptured blood vessels. These wounds may require hundreds of stitches.
On rare occasions, barracudas have been known to jump out of the water, causing serious injuries to people in the boat. In one recent case in Florida in 2015, a female canoeist was injured and had to really fight for her life after suffering several broken ribs and a punctured lung during a barracuda attack.
If this information still does not convince you that barracuda should be on this list, then there is one more thing. Barracudas have one final argument: their flesh sometimes contains ciguatoxin, which can cause severe symptoms, which last for several months.
8. Textile cone
Photo. Textile cone
Cones have been a favorite among collectors for centuries for their shells, but don't be fooled by their pretty appearance, these clams are killer! Equipped with tiny harpoons made from modified teeth, these creatures can fire a hollow harpoon filled with deadly neurotoxins in any direction. Some people have a harpoon large species The cones are very large and strong enough to not only pierce human flesh, but also gloves and even a wetsuit.
One drop of cone venom is enough to kill 20 people, making it one of the most poisonous creatures on the ground. Known as conotoxin, the venom can only have a very strong effect on certain types of nerves. On the medical side, a cone sting usually causes intense, localized pain with life-threatening symptoms that lasts for several days. On the other hand, from the moment this mollusk stings you, paralysis can occur very quickly respiratory system and subsequent death. In fact, one type of cone is very well known as the "cigarette snail" because before you die you won't even have time to smoke a cigarette!
Despite their deadly poison, cones have only been responsible for a few deaths over the years, which is why they come in at just number 8 on our list.
7. Leopard seal
Photo. Leopard seal
The leopard seal (lat. Hydrurga leptonyx) is actually named after its spotted skin, although this may explain his cruel nature. Being on top the food chain in Antarctica, this leopard is one of the largest seals in southern waters. Reaching up to 4 m (13 ft) in length and weighing up to 600 kg (1,320 lb), the leopard seal is a formidable predator. In addition to its size and speed, these seals are also armed with a huge mouth (big enough to fit your head!) lined with large, pointed teeth, making it look more like a reptile than a seal.
The leopard seal's menu includes other species of seal, seabirds, penguins and fish, although they are also known to sift through krill and small crustaceans. These seals usually hunt from ambush, just below the ice level, when the seals or penguins jump into the water, it is at this moment that they pounce on their prey.
Considering that the leopard seal is found only in the cold waters of distant southern oceans, they do not often come into contact with people at all. However, because the leopard seal has already killed people, this makes it very terrible in our eyes.
Back in 1914, during Ernest Shackleton's expedition, a leopard seal had to be shot as it was pursuing crew member Thomas Ord-Lees. The seal first chased Ord Fox on the ice, then dived under the ice cover and watched him from below. After the leopard seal jumped out in front of Ord Fox, another member of the team managed to kill it.
In 2003, a British scientist was less fortunate. Kirsty Brown, a 28-year-old marine biologist working with the British Antarctic Survey, was snorkeling off the Antarctic Peninsula when she was attacked by a large leopard seal. The seal dragged the woman deep underwater, where she suffocated.
While there are many stories about leopard seals harassing people in boats, this incident is the first reported fatality.
6. Wart
Photo. Wart
This grumpy-looking fellow doesn't seem too happy to be the most poisonous fish on the planet. Armed with 13 needle-like sharp spines running along its back, the stone fish blends in perfectly with the surrounding background, it simply waits for an unfortunate person to step on it. Another feature of the wart that is always worth mentioning is that it can survive outside the sea for up to 24 hours. It is really very difficult to notice on the seabed. The neurotoxic venom of warts is not only dangerous, but also incredibly painful. In fact, the fish's sting is reportedly so painful that victims have asked for their limbs to be cut off. The quote below clearly shows how painful it is:
“In Australia I got my finger pricked by a stonefish... not to mention bee venom. ... Imagine every wrist, knuckle, elbow and shoulder being hit with a sledgehammer for about an hour. About an hour later, you were allegedly kicked in both kidneys for about 45 minutes, so much so that you could not stand or straighten up. I was in my early 20s, very fit, and still have a small scar. Over the next few days, my finger remained painful sensations, but also for several years after that pain in the kidneys periodically appeared.”
For obvious reasons, many people have gotten a wart shot in the leg. Although such cases may simply redefine pain, such cases have nevertheless led to a lot of trouble. Such venom injections are potentially fatal, causing respiratory paralysis and possibly heart failure. In serious cases, immediate attention is required health care and the victim must be treated with an antidote. In fact, it is the second most commonly administered antivenom in Australia and has resulted in no one dying from a wart injection there for almost 100 years.
5. Blue-ringed octopus
Photo. Blue-ringed octopus
Instantly recognizable by their iridescent blue rings, these little octopuses spend most of its time, hiding in the cracks or masquerading in coral reefs Pacific and Indian oceans.
It is only when they feel threatened that blue-ringed octopuses truly live up to their name and show their true colors. At that moment, his skin turns bright yellow, and his blue rings become even brighter, almost shimmering. This beautiful display can also be a warning as it is one of the most dangerous animals in the ocean.
What makes this octopus especially dangerous is its venom. Not all octopuses have venom, but the blue-ringed octopus is in the big league. Known as TDT (tetrodotoxin), it is an incredibly potent neurotoxin, the same one found in dart frogs and wart frogs. It is approximately 1200 times stronger than cyanide, and one small injection can be enough to kill. In fact, many victims claim they didn't even feel the sting.
The average sample, weighing about 30 grams, reportedly contains enough poison to kill more than 10 adults.
Video. Why is the blue-ringed octopus dangerous?
There is no effective antidote for the poison blue-ringed octopuses, its neurotoxin aims to paralyze the victim. Its effect is similar to medical curare, which is used to immobilize patients during surgery; under its influence, a person is unable to speak or move. The main danger is that it paralyzes the lungs, causing the victim to suffocate. In severe cases, rapid treatment has important and this involves placing the victim on life support until the effects of the poison wear off and breathing is restored.
4. Box jellyfish
Photo. sea wasp
There are many species of box jellyfish, which get their name from their cuboid bodies. Many box jellyfish are especially poisonous, like the large sea wasp (lat. Chironex fleckeri), which has the most powerful poison. Found along the northern coasts of Australia and tropical South-East Asia, the sea wasp is often regarded as the "world's deadliest jellyfish", having killed more than 60 people in Australia alone. The death toll appears to be significantly higher in other regions of the world, especially where antivenom is not readily available.
I sea wasp in strength it ranks second among all creatures on Earth, more poisonous only in geographical cone. Calculations show that each animal contains enough poison to kill 60 adult humans and very few animals can kill so quickly. IN extreme cases death occurs from cardiac arrest, which is known to take less than five minutes after a person has been stung. The bite itself causes excruciating pain along with a burning sensation that is similar to the touch of a hot iron. Good news is that, contrary to popular belief, urinating on the bite site will not cause any noticeable effect! In most cases, the tentacles remain on the victim's body and they can continue to sting even after you have left the sea, often resulting in scarring.
Video. Box jellyfish - Marine wasp
But there are also tiny jellyfish, irukandji. They are widespread and this small jellyfish has a strong venom that can lead to Irukandji syndrome, which gradually appears after the bite itself. It is also reported that the bite of the Irukandji is potentially fatal, as well as incredibly painful. One of the victims said that it was even worse than childbirth and more intense.
3. Sea snakes
Photo. Sea snake
There are many species of sea snakes, which are mainly found in the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. They are believed to have evolved from land snakes in Australia and adapted to life in shallow coastal waters, developing a huge left lung and stretching out in length. They are closely related to land-dwelling cobras and kraits, which is a bit surprising since many sea snakes are highly venomous. What's actually surprising is that their venom is much stronger than that of their land-based relatives. The reason for this venomous nature is that they eat fish and this means that they must immobilize their prey as quickly as possible to prevent it from escaping and preventing themselves from being injured.
Apparently, most of you have heard that despite their deadly venom, sea snakes are harmless because they have tiny mouths. This is complete nonsense! True sea snakes have small fangs and do not have huge mouths, but they are capable of swallowing fish whole and can easily bite a person, even through a wetsuit.
There are actually two reasons why sea snakes are considered much less dangerous than land snakes: first, they tend to be shy and much less aggressive. In addition, they tend to perform a “dry” bite, i.e. no poison is injected. It is very unlikely that a person can be injected with poison and the good news is that there are certain antidotes.
Of all the species of sea snakes, there are two species that deserve mention. Nosed enhydrina (lat. Enhydrina schistosa) is one of the most poisonous snakes on the ground. Its venom is almost 8 times stronger than that of a cobra, one drop is enough to kill three people. It is also considered more aggressive than most other sea snakes. The venom of the Nose Enhydrina contains both neurotoxins and myotoxins, while the former will kill you thanks to respiratory paralysis, the latter will begin to break down your muscles, causing excruciating pain.
Despite these signs, there have been a few known deaths involving this snake, which is more common in deeper waters. Most of the bites were caught by fishermen while checking their nets.
Second sea snake, which is worthy of mention is the Belcher's sea snake (lat. Hydrophis belcheri), only because it is often referred to as the snake with the most strong poison. It is often stated that its venom is 100 times stronger than even that of inland taipan. This is a bit of an exaggeration, but the poison is certainly like that of the taipan. The good news is that the Belcher's sea snake is often described as having a "friendly" nature!
2. Saltwater crocodile
Photo. Saltwater crocodile
The saltwater or saltwater crocodile is no stranger to the pages of “In the Jaws of Animals.” This animal is deadly on both land and water, and this crocodile is the most large reptile which has come down to us since the time of the dinosaurs. The largest specimens that have been recorded and described were about 7 meters (25 ft) long and weighed about 2 tons, although in the 1950s one crocodile reached a length of 8.5 meters (30 ft) and was allegedly caught around city of Darwin in Australia.
Along with its size, it also has incredible strength, the saltwater crocodile has the most powerful bite on Earth, 10 times stronger than that of a great white shark. They are also fast swimmers in water, reaching speeds of 27 km/h (18 mph). They're not that fast on land, but urban legends tell us they're capable of explosive action, supposedly faster than you can react.
Although most people associate the saltwater crocodile with Australia, it is widespread and causes more havoc in its other habitats. The saltwater crocodile can be found throughout Southeast Asia and even as far west as India. These crocodiles are also known to be able to swim long distances alone and have been seen as far away as Fiji and New Caledonia.
In Australia, there are an average of two fatal saltwater crocodile attacks per year. In other places, the number of attacks is difficult to estimate, but research suggests there are many more, up to 30 per year.
Perhaps the most infamous attack by saltwater crocodiles occurred on Ramree Island (Myanmar) during World War II. After a fierce battle, the Japanese soldiers refused to surrender and retreated into a crocodile-infested swamp, which was surrounded by British marines. An estimated 400 Japanese soldiers were reportedly killed by crocodiles that night. Witness Bruce Stanley Wright wrote about the events of that night:
Video. Crocodile massacre. Crocodile attacks on Ramri Island
“Scattered rifle shots in the black darkness of the swamp were interrupted by the cries of wounded men being eaten by the jaws of huge reptiles, and the blurred, alarming sound of spinning crocodiles was like a sound from hell, which is rarely heard on earth...
Of about a thousand Japanese soldiers who entered the Ramree swamps, only about twenty were found alive."
1. Sharks
Photo. Big White shark
Not too many surprises here, right? As predators, sharks are the apex predators of the ocean, and are very well equipped to inflict serious injury: with large, fast and powerful jaws, armed with multiple rows of razor-sharp teeth, these fish are polished killing machines. However, despite the existence of about 400 species, only a few can be selected that represent at least some real danger for people. We have already described in another article, but we still believe that it is worth choosing only four of them.
On the one hand, the great white shark is the most capable killer of all living sharks. Reaching a length of almost 8 meters (25 feet) and weighing 3 tons, great white sharks earned their name during their lifetime. Their favorite tactic is to swim under their prey and then maximum speed(55 km/h, 35 mph) rise up with open mouth and sink its teeth into unsuspecting prey.
Statistics partly confirm the great white shark's status as a deadly ocean creature; of the approximately 400 reported unprovoked attacks, approximately 20% ended fatal. However, when you take a closer look at some other species of sharks, you can understand that great white sharks are not as dangerous to humans as compared to other species.
The bull shark has a slightly higher kill rate, around 25%, and it is believed that many attacks were either misattributed or not recorded. The bull shark's trump card is its ability to survive in fresh water. These sharks have been found all over the world thousands of miles from the ocean in estuaries where no one would expect to see them. They have even been found in lakes that only have seasonal access to the sea.
Besides, bull sharks, as well as tiger sharks, are much less picky about what they eat. While most great white shark attacks appear to involve misidentification of their prey, bull sharks deliberately attack humans.
Another species of shark worth mentioning is the longtip shark. Although statistics do not indicate their danger, legendary naturalist Jacques Cousteau described them as “the most dangerous of all sharks.” These sharks are blamed for hundreds of deaths in air and sea disasters. The most famous cases date back to the Second World War, when the Nova Scotia sank off the coast of South Africa and "Indianapolis" in the Philippines. Although there is no exact data, but presumably as a result of a shark attack total number The death toll from these two disasters is around 1,000.
A fragment of a three-meter long fossilized skull of a giant sperm whale was found in sedimentary rocks on the coast of Peru. The discovery was made in the desert 35 km southwest of the city of Ika (already known to many paleontologists for its artifacts) by paleontologist Klaas Post from the Rotterdam Natural History Museum on the last day of the expedition of a team of paleontologists led by Dr. Christian de Muizon (Christian de Muizon), director of the Natural History Museum in Paris.
The expedition also included paleontologists Olivier Lambert from the Royal Belgian Institute natural sciences in Brussels (Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences), Giovanni di Bianucci from the University of Pisa (Università di Pisa) in Italy, Rodolfo Salas-Gismondi and Mario Urbino from the Natural History Museum National University of San Marcos (Lima, Peru) (Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima) and Jelle Reumer from the Rotterdam Natural History Museum.
The fossil was placed in the collection of the Natural History Museum in Lima, Peru.
The researchers, as discoverers, named the newly described species of sperm whale Leviathan melvillei:
- the first component of the name is the mythological monster Leviathan, mentioned in Old Testament;
- the second part is given in honor of Herman Melville, the author of the novel about the white whale "Moby Dick".
According to the reconstruction carried out by scientists, Leviathan melvillei had a jaw three meters long, and from the tip of the muzzle to the tail was 16-18 meters.
The most amazing feature of this animal is its huge teeth, up to 30 centimeters long and up to 12 centimeters wide. These are the largest teeth possessed by any terrestrial carnivorous animal.
Absolute record holder teeth
Among modern predators, only sperm whales, reaching 20 meters in length, can compare in size with L. melvillei. However, the modern sperm whale has functional teeth only on the lower jaw (on the upper there are practically non-protruding rudimentary teeth), while in the ancient leviathan sperm whale both the lower and upper jaws are equally developed. The presence of teeth both above and below suggests a predatory hunting strategy: probably Leviathan melvillei attacked its prey, grabbed it with powerful jaws and tore it apart with giant teeth.
Analyzing the details of the skull, and due to the fact that the jaws of the found animal were equipped with large powerful muscles, scientists suggest that Leviathan melvillei could easily deal with even whales up to 7-10 meters long.
At the same time and in the same waters, along with Leviathan melvillei, another monster lived - Carcharocles megalodon - giant shark, reaching 15 meters in. Could these giants predatory world to compete or engage in fights is still unknown to scientists, since there are no facts indicating meetings of these monsters.
In addition, scientists will have to answer the question of the reasons for the disproportionate torso of the animal. This will allow us to study the skeleton of a prehistoric sperm whale.
Initially, it was believed that the large head allowed these marine mammals to dive to considerable depths in search of food. But recent data disproves this theory, since the animals hunted by giant hunters lived in the upper layers of the ocean.
Based on the size of the skull, researchers claim that the ancient monster whale had a large spermaceti organ, the purpose of which modern sperm whales have no consensus on.
According to modern ideas, this large cavity in the forehead, filled with a waxy substance - spermaceti, helps the whale in several tasks:
- the first (controversial) is the facilitation of diving and ascent due to a consistent change in the density of this substance. It hardens and contracts upon contact with cold water and melts from the heat of the blood;
- this cavity apparently plays some role in echolocation;
- a large head can serve as a striking weapon in the fight of males for a female.
Perhaps she helped the Leviathan in attacking its prey. Such a ram could damage the victim no less than the subsequent capture by strong jaws. At least two 19th-century whaling ships were sunk after being struck on the side by the massive head of large male sperm whales. Similar incidents later formed the basis of the plot of the novel Moby Dick.
Since the Leviathan did not dive deep for its victims, but preferred to feed near the surface of the sea, it did not need “assistance in diving.”
It may follow from this that such a large organ during the evolution of whales appeared precisely as an echolocator and a ram, and long before sperm whales began to make their amazing dives on great depths.
Scientists still cannot answer the question of what led to the extinction Leviathan melvillei, but suggest that this could be due to changes in environment(cooling), as well as in the number and size of available prey.
Lambert is sure: Leviathan melvillei is the largest known to science sperm whale. Its descendants shredded, lost their teeth and, instead of actively hunting mammals, switched to sucking mollusks such as squid.
Sperm whales, which today feed on deep-sea squid, are much less vulnerable to climate change than active predators living near the surface of the water. Modern sperm whales specialize in a completely different food niche: they excellent divers hunting deep-sea squids. And sperm whales don’t really need teeth to capture squid.
This was not at all the case with Leviathan melvillei, he knew perfectly well how to use such an impressive weapon. Well, millions of years after the disappearance of the monster, the vacated niche of an aggressive predator was filled by “killer whales” - killer whales, significantly inferior to the Leviathan in size, but using similar hunting tactics.
And two more important finds recent years concerning the evolution of whales.
Last year, the remains of two whales of the Archaeoceti group of the species Maiacetus inuus, about 48 million years old, were found in Pakistan. Analysis of the fossilized skeletons of a male and a pregnant female has revealed that female primordial whales gave birth on land. In addition, their discovery provided new data to determine how whales migrated from land to water. Scientists believe that the first land creatures appeared in the Devonian - about 360-380 million years ago. After 300 million years, some mammal species decided to return to the water. Their paws began to turn back into fins. The discovery in Pakistan reveals an important link in the evolution of whales. The presence of teeth in the fetus suggests that newborn whales of this species were not completely helpless in their first years of life.
In 2007, a group of American scientists found that the ancestors of modern whales were creatures similar to deer without horns and smaller in size. New evidence suggests that the ancestors of whales were artiodactyls, which lived in South Asia about 50 million years ago and hid in the water when danger approached. Previously it was assumed that the closest relatives marine mammals are hippopotamuses.
The ocean is home to a huge number of different predators. Some sea predators attack quickly, while others sit in cover for a long time, waiting for their victims.
Every inhabitant of the ocean is eaten by other sea inhabitants; only killer whales and sharks have no enemies.
Sharks
The white shark is most likely the most dangerous predator of the deep sea. People tremble at the very idea of a great white shark.
The white shark has no equal in strength and power among predators in the ocean.
Sharks appeared in the ocean long before man began to dominate the Earth. There are about 400 species of sharks. But most dangerous shark It is the white shark that is considered. Individuals of this species can reach 6 meters in length, they weigh about 3 tons and have a powerful toothy mouth. There are about 300 sharp-shaped teeth in the mouth. The teeth on the upper jaw are triangular, and on the lower jaw they are curved. The body shape of the white shark is spindle-shaped, the tail has the shape of a crescent, and the fins are large. White sharks live for about 27 years.
But people are not the target. These predators prefer victims with more serious fat reserves. For example, their favorite treats are sea lions and seals. White sharks don't show too much affection towards people high interest, because there are too many tendons and muscles in the human body.
Typically, white sharks attack people for two reasons. The first is that a shark associates a person swimming in the water with a sick animal that cannot develop sufficient speed and is easy to catch. The second reason is that surfers floating on a board look like other ocean inhabitants from the water. And since the shark has rather poor eyesight, it can easily make mistakes. To determine whether the prey is edible, the shark bites it, but sometimes sharks tear people to pieces. It is difficult to predict how this predator will behave. When a shark grabs a victim, it shakes its head in all directions, thus snatching pieces from it.
Sea anemone is a predatory animal that more closely resembles a plant. Scientists say sharks are ocean orderlies because they eat dying animals.
Sea anemones
Sea anemone is a predator veiled by beauty. Sea anemones are representatives of cnidarians. Sea anemones have stinging cells that they use as weapons. Sea anemones reach a height of about 1 meter. These creatures lead sedentary life. They are attached to the bottom by a foot called the sole or basal disc.
The sea anemone has from ten to hundreds of tentacles with special cells - cnidocytes. These cells produce poison, which is a mixture of toxins. Anemones use this poison during hunting and for protection from predators.
The poison contains substances that affect nervous system victims. The prey is paralyzed under the influence of the poison and the predator calmly eats it.
The diet of sea anemones is based on fish and crustaceans. Sea anemone poison is not dangerous for people; it does not lead to death, but can cause quite severe burns.
Killer whales
- predators of the dolphin family, but they are not at all as friendly as dolphins. They are called killer whales. Killer whales attack almost everyone sea inhabitants: mammals, fish and shellfish. If there is enough food, then killer whales behave quite friendly with other cetaceans, but if there is little food, then killer whales attack their own kind: dolphins and whales.
Killer whales are one of the ocean's formidable hunters. For these predators, the size of the prey does not matter of great importance, killer whales hunt large animals together. If the victim cannot be killed immediately, the killer whale harasses it by biting off small pieces of it. No one manages to stay alive after a collision with killer whales - not a small fish, not a large whale.
A pod of killer whales acts very harmoniously during the hunt. The predators move in even ranks, like soldiers, and each killer whale has a clearly defined task.
When killer whales lead a sedentary life, they feed mainly on crustaceans and fish. And migrating killer whales prefer large mammals, For example, sea lions and seals. Killer whales live up to the name killer whales in the best possible way.
Octopuses
Octopuses are part of the order of cephalopods. These creatures have excellently developed vision, smell, and touch, but they do not hear very well.
Barracuda / Photo: wikimediaBarracuda is a top model tropical oceans: long, up to two meters, thin and graceful. Who would have thought that this beauty is just a killing machine. Barracudas hunt in schools, reach speeds of up to 45 km/h and are absolutely not afraid of anyone. Their teeth are miniature shark jaws.
A barracuda can easily attack a person, but not out of malice: in muddy water or in the dark, she mistakes our arms and legs for fish that can be eaten. She is also attracted to shiny objects - watches, knives, tools. Remember, barracuda is the top of its food chain, with a hunting experience of 50 million years. If you decide to scuba dive in her domain, be polite and careful.
Striped Tang
Cavity surgeon / Photo: wikimedia The striped tang is very beautiful fish. Small, up to 40 cm in length, it lives in the Pacific and Indian oceans. The fish has yellow-blue stripes on its sides, its belly is blue with an orange fin. When you look at it, your hand reaches out to touch it. You shouldn’t do this: at the tips of the surgeon’s tail there are scalpel-sharp plates, which are also poisonous.
Remember that there are 1,200 species of poisonous fish in the ocean, which affect up to 50,000 people a year. However, dangerous fish compensate for the damage caused - they are indispensable in the development of new drugs.
Yellow sea anemone
Yellow sea anemone / Photo: cepolina Don't pick flowers for your loved one at the bottom of the sea. If only because these are not flowers at all. Sea anemones They look like a hybrid of a tulip and a peon, reaching a meter in diameter. They live in the tropics and subtropics. In their youth, anemones are attached with their “sole” to solid ground and can no longer move. Never mind, they will still get you: the anemones instantly release tentacles that pierce the fish carelessly swimming nearby. A paralyzing neurotoxin renders the victim immobile. All that remains for the anemone is to drag it to its mouth, grab it with its labial tentacles and eat it. The man, of course, is too large to become lunch, but he is guaranteed a painful burn.
Moray eel
Moray eel / Photo: davyjoneslocker The moray eel is terrifying underwater kite up to three meters in length, with a rock-hard ridge on the back. Lives in tropical and temperate waters. It looks like it has a small mouth, but in fact it is capable of opening its mouth so wide, swallowing its prey, that it simply cannot do this in its cave. Yawning so much that you can’t even fit into your home is a record.
However, the moray eel does not like to leave the cave, so it does something simpler: it has two rows of toothy jaws, and the second row suddenly moves forward to grab the prey that swims past the doors. It's like a horror movie, isn't it? The surrounding fish know that it is better not to swim onto the “staircase” of the eel, so at night he still has to leave the house to hunt.
Toadfish
Toadfish / Photo: wikimedia It's hard to imagine a creature uglier than a toad fish. Her huge head is flattened, her mouth is stretched to her ears, and her whole body is covered with growths. Only its small size saves us from fainting: up to half a meter in length and no more than three kilograms of live weight. At the same time, the toadfish is very peaceful: it sits quietly on the bottom, blending in color with it for camouflage purposes, and waits for unwary squids and shrimp. Powerful jaws crunch through the shells of crabs and oysters.
The toadfish defends its territory by making a sound similar to a grinding or honking sound and exhibiting poisonous spines. Respect personal space and you will not have problems with her. But as luck would have it, this fish lives in the western part of the Atlantic, including near the “white beaches” of the resort state of Florida. Hundreds of swimmers jump out of the water screaming, having stumbled upon poisonous thorn, and go straight to the hospital.
Great white shark
Great white shark / Photo: Alamy The white shark needs no introduction. Even those who have never seen the sea know that this fish is a cannibal. Up to six meters in length, it can weigh more than two tons. To her, a person is just a slice of bacon. To bite through that slice, the white shark has 300 teeth, immortalized by Spielberg in the movie Jaws.
Luckily, humans don't seem tasty to the shark. She likes dolphins, seals, fur seals and turtles much more. When the mood strikes, the white shark feasts on carrion: the carcass of a dead whale is a whole banquet for it. Sometimes she eats other sharks - yes, she is a cannibal not only because she eats people. It is found in all oceans except the Arctic Ocean, but is on the verge of extinction: there are about 3,500 individuals left in the world.
Cone snail
Cone snail / Photo: wikimedia The small cone snail not only looks harmless - it makes you want to take it home as a souvenir. The correct cone-shaped shape especially attracts attention. An unwary tourist takes the snail in his hand, and the cone, torn out of its usual environment, begins to defend itself. A poisonous thorn is used, which shoots like a dart from a snail's snout. The souvenir comes at a high price: the poison from the cone is deadly to humans, and every third victim does not make it to the hospital.
The cone has an excellent sense of smell - it is able to follow the trail of a victim for hours. Usually the snail hunts mollusks or small fish, which, of course, are faster than the cone itself, but slower than its harpoon, which can hit a target at a distance of a meter. In times of famine, cone snails eat their own kind without sentimentality - yes, they are also cannibals.
Indonesian pipefish
Indonesian needlefish / Photo: David Doubilet Everyone knows what a needle fish is: a thin, nimble predator up to 60 cm long, so flexible that it can be tied in a knot. A distinctive feature is the muzzle, elongated in the shape of a needle and full of sharp teeth. Some species of needlefish feel great in the Black Sea and quite friendly avoid divers.
The Indonesian needlefish is also quite peaceful - while it is under water. However, she has a habit of jumping out of the water into the fresh air, where she immediately turns into a throwing dagger, only a very angry one. This is not to say that the needle does this often. But when she does, for the person who has become her target, it all ends with severe injuries or death. The needle digs into the body, easily biting through the artery. It takes a lot of courage for Indonesian fishermen to go out fishing at night - in the dark, the lights on the boats attract fish and provoke an attack.
Saltwater crocodile
Saltwater crocodile / Photo: wikimedia The saltwater crocodile is better known as saltwater crocodile because it lives in salt water. But its most telling name is the man-eating crocodile. This largest predator on the planet currently living - it reaches seven meters in length, its weight can exceed two tons. It lives in estuaries and coastal waters throughout Southeast Asia and northern Australia, and is the most widespread crocodile in the world.
The saltwater crocodile is extremely aggressive. Huge six-meter males love to organize fights without rules - brutal fights that end in the death of the enemy. This predator hunts alone and eats everything it can handle - and it can handle absolutely everything that lives in its habitat. Another favorite sport is jumping up above the surface of the water. A crocodile can throw almost its entire body out of the water - two tons! - pushing off the bottom with his tail. He is a cannibal - he even eats representatives of his own species, and even snacks on other crocodiles without counting. I don’t even want to remember the human victims: jaws saltwater crocodile They snack people like marshmallows, and it’s good if you die quickly.
Hairy cyanea
Hairy cyanea / Photo: masterok Cyanea is very similar to the colorful jellyfish that we were all afraid of as children. But as people grow, so do their fears: it is tens of times larger than an ordinary jellyfish. Its “cap” reaches two meters in diameter, and its thick tentacles extend up to 30 meters. Another name for cyanide is “ lion's mane" – reflects it well appearance. The dense network of poisonous tentacles of a jellyfish perfectly catches small fish, plankton, and smaller jellyfish. Paralyzed by poison, they become easy prey.
Cyanea often occurs in Pacific Ocean, Atlantic and Baltic Sea. In one of his stories, Arthur Conan Doyle made the jellyfish a killer of people, giving it a bad reputation. We are happy to report that this is not at all true: cyanea is not capable of killing a person, unless it causes serious skin damage. If you have a durable wetsuit and enough courage, you can swim with the beautiful sea monster without risking your life.
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