STING, STAB, STRIKE

The lionfish's bright red stripes and great big spikes are a warning - don't touch! When threatened by predators (or silly humans), a lionfish turns its body sideways and delivers a jab from the venomous needle-sharp spines on its back.  A sting from a lionfish is extremely painful to humans and can cause nausea and breathing problems, but is rarely fatal.

To learn more about the lionfish, download the factsheet here

You might easily mistake the world's deadliest fish for a rock.  The stonefish spends so much time on the bottom, camouflaged as a rock, that it is vulnerable to predators from above (and being stepped on by people).  To protect itself, it has developed a row of 13 extremely venomous spines along it's back.  The stonefish is only dangerous if stepped on or touched because the venom is only released when pressure is applied.

To learn more about the stonefish download the factsheet here

Stingrays spend most of their time lying, partially buried, on the ocean floor hiding from predators and waiting for prey.  Their colours match the sand or mud they hide in.  Stingrays are intelligent, non-aggressive creatures.  They only hurt humans with their venomous tail barb when they are frightened - like when they are stepped on or swimmers get too close to their hiding place.

To learn more about stingrays, download the factsheet here

Don't be fooled by the name...the blue-ring octopus isn't always blue! This very small octopus is normally light brown and perfectly camouflaged with the rock pools it lives in.  However, when it is annoyed or scared, it rapidly changes colour - its body becomes bright yellow and iridescent blue rings appear as a warning to predators.  The blue-ring octopus is one of the world's most venomous animals and can kill a human within minutes.

To learn more about the blue-ring octopus, download the factsheet here

The cone shell is a marine snail.  Like their land-based relatives, they cannot move very quickly so they are armed with deadly harpoons that inject very toxic and fast-acting venom.  This quickly paralyses their prey and gives them a chance to catch it.  Unfortunately, it has the same effect on humans who try to collect their beautiful shells.  Never pick up any cone-shaped shells, even if you think they are empty. 

To learn more about cone shells, download the factsheet here

There are over 166 species of sharks in Australian waters, but the majority of shark attacks are attributed to three species - the great white, tiger shark and bull shark.  There are lots of ways to avoid sharks (see the safety tips in our fact sheet) but if you are in the water and see a shark, stay calm and leave the area as quickly and quietly as possible.

To learn more about sharks, download the factsheet here

Earth's largest living reptile - and some say, Australia's most dangerous creature - is the estuarine crocodile.  To capture its prey, a crocodile waits very patiently at the waters edge, then lunges and snaps at animals who come to drink.  If they can't swallow an animal whole, the crocodile either drags it underwater and twists in a death roll until it dies or shakes its head in an attempt to break off pieces to eat.  Crocodiles are very dangerous and you always need to be croc wise in croc country.

Download the Crocodile factsheet here

Many people mistakenly believe that although the sea snake's venom is more toxic than land-based snakes, they can't bite very effectively.  The truth is that they can open their mouths wide enough to bite a man's thigh and their short fangs are certainly capable of injecting venom into the blood stream.  Sea snakes might be deadly, but they do all they can not to hurt humans.  They are shy and avoid contact with people.  Even when they do bite, they can control the amount of venom released and most bites are not deadly.

To learn more about sea snakes, download the factsheet here

The box jellyfish is considered the most venomous creature in the sea and has caused more than 70 deaths in Australian waters.  Their tentacles are armed with up to 5000 nematocysts (stinging cells) and can be up to 3 meters long.  According to recent discoveries, the box jellyfish is able to see through its four eyes and avoid even the tiniest objects.  So if you enter the water slowly, they will probably try to aviod you as well.

To learn more about the box jellyfish and other dangerous marine stingers, download the factsheet here

For more information about all the marine stingers found in Queensland waters, visit www.marinestingers.com.au

It is easy to avoid trouble with dangerous marine creatures.  This fact sheet outlines some basic safety tips to keep you safe.

Download the safety tip factsheet here

This fact sheet helps explain some of the more difficult words used in the picture book and creature fact sheets.

Download the glossary here