Irukandji

They are very small and seemingly cute creatures. But if you come across them personally, the first impression will be very deceiving.

Irukandji is the smallest jellyfish in the world. It is also one of the most feared, capable of delivering a sting 100 times as potent as that of a cobra and 1,000 times as strong as a tarantula.

These almost invisible “jelly” beings do not forgive those who disturbs their peace. Irukandji jellyfish are very poisonous, one of their “bite” can not only neutralize, but to kill an adult. Just imagine: this baby (15-25 mm!) with 4 thin tentacles, which sometimes reach almost 1 meter, shoots with very strong poison! Though it eats plankton, but sometimes it can attack even fish fry.

Irukandji jellyfish usually inhabit the ocean to the north of Australia and around the Great Barrier Reef (closer to Queensland, Northern Territory and New South Wales).

This unusual name – “Irukandji” – tiny creatures have received in 1952 by australian medical practitioner, toxicologist, radiotherapist and natural historian Hugo Flecker. He dedicated the opening of the Australian Aborigines – Irukandji.

But in 1964, the jellyfish got its second name – jellyfish Barnes. And it was not the accident: Dr. Jack Barnes sacrificed himself for the sake of science – he showed by himself the influence of these jellyfish venom per human and made the detailed description of all his sensations. Of course, Jack was still alive.

However, the feelings that the experimenter every felt about 20-25 people feel on themselves every year.

Victims of Irukandji usually do not notice it very often. Later the affected area begins to swell, a little pain appears. Then the person feels dizzy, nausea starts. A little more and poison attacks the nervous system: aggression and irritability appear, sometimes confusion, amid all this pressure begins to rise. As a result, a heart attack or heart failure may come.

Antidote to “bite” Irukandji has not found before, so the habitats of these jellyfish on the shore are equipped with special shields, which describes the symptoms of “meeting” with a jellyfish, first aid measures, as well as the recommendation of compulsory treatment in a nearby hospital. For those who have health problems, Irukandji sting can cause painful death. But a “bouquet” of very unpleasant sensations is provided for even the most healthy people.

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