7 Super Dangerous Sea Animals (And What To Do If You Injure Them)

Nothing can be more unpleasant than, on a sunny day at the beach, getting hurt by some animal hiding in the sea, like a jellyfish. That’s why it’s always good to be prepared for the unexpected. Different types of marine life can cause injuries, but there are different ways to treat these injuries.

we, from awesome.club, We always want you to be prepared to enjoy your free time in the sun without any hassles! That’s why we’ve compiled a list of animals that can injure you along with instructions on what to do if that happens. Don’t forget to check out our bonus at the end, which showcases one of the most amazing animals on Earth, with mighty spurs.

The Portuguese caravel is a complex creature found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. In fact, it is not a single being, but a kind of “colony”, made up of different animals and polyps, which cannot survive on their own. This being injects venom into its victims through its tentacles, causing chest pain, difficulty breathing, and even death.

Habitat: Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Treatment: Over the years, many “home remedies” have been used to treat wounds, including alcohol, sea water, shaving cream, urine, and baking soda. However, a recent study shows that applying heat and vinegar to the wound is the best option. Seek medical attention in case of an emergency.

Unlike the Portuguese caravel, the jellyfish is a single organism — not composed of others. These marine animals usually swim freely in the ocean, but some get stuck on the seabed. Its tentacles have microscopic cells that are normally used to capture prey or as a defense. Usually, the contact causes pain and redness. In more severe cases, it can cause serious illness and even death.

Habitat: All over the world, from the surface of the water to the depths of the ocean.

Treatment: Urine is a popular treatment used for these stings and burns, but it has no practical effect. The best options are the same ones used to treat the injuries caused by the Portuguese caravel, that is, vinegar and heat.

All tentacles must be removed with tweezers, not by scraping them. Also, try to identify the type of jellyfish that caused the injury. Lion’s mane jellyfish, sea nettle and Australian box jellyfish can cause serious damage, so seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

Despite looking like plants, sea anemones are actually animals. Armed with stinging cnidocyte cells, they inject venom and a mixture of toxins and neurotoxins into their victims via a cellular explosion. Normally, sea anemones do not attack humans, but there are some records. In severe cases, the poison can cause death.

Habitat: Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Treatment: Treatment of the wound depends on the type of anemone that injured it, the number of toxins injected, and how the person reacted. Usually, the thorns need to be removed and the wound can be treated with the sea water itself, but it also needs to be cleaned. As with jellyfish wounds, vinegar can help reduce discomfort. Topical antibiotics and pain relievers can also be used to relieve pain. In severe cases, people should seek medical attention.

Stingrays are relatives of sharks. They don’t usually attack humans, but can react to attacks or if stepped on. Unlike their intimidating cousins, which bite their victims, they attack with a stinger in their tail—including river species. They are not normally lethal to humans, but there have been a few reported cases, such as the death of Australian conservationist and television star Steve Irwin in 2006.

Habitat: Worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical areas

Treatment: Normally, a stingray stinger is only lethal if it hits a vital area of ​​the body. In more severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove it. It is important to perform asepsis in the affected area, but not to close it with stitches. Pressure can be used to stop any bleeding, and antibiotics can help treat pain and infection. Serious injuries should be treated by specialized professionals.

Sea urchins are spiny animals that face many predators such as sea otters, wolf eels and even starfish. So it makes sense that they use these spikes to protect themselves. Present all over the world, some of them also produce poison, especially those from tropical areas.

Habitat: They live on the bed of the seas all over the world.

Treatment: Sea urchins can pierce their victims with or without venom and their stings vary in severity depending on the type. The important thing is to remove the thorns with tweezers or shave the area with a razor. As in the previous cases, vinegar can be used to treat pain, as well as antibiotics, always with a doctor’s prescription.

The lionfish has many names like “zebrafish”, “dragonfish”, “stonefish” or “turkeyfish” and is known for its dorsal spines. Its venom is dangerous to humans, causing fever, vomiting, heartburn, heart failure and even death. While rarely fatal to adult humans, it is especially dangerous to children, the elderly, people with weak immune systems, and people with venom allergies.

Habitat: Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Mediterranean Sea.

Treatment: The affected area should be quickly submerged in hot water as this helps to break down the proteins in the venom, lessening pain and symptoms. The recommended temperature is 43ºC to 46ºC. Using hotter water can burn the victim’s skin. And in case of an allergic reaction, it is essential to seek medical attention.

Despite its name, fire coral isn’t actually a coral at all—they’re related animals to jellyfish. In fact, it is quite common for divers to bump into fire corals. Upon contact, the victim feels a burning sensation caused by a venomous discharge produced on the creature’s exterior. In rare cases, this venom can cause systemic toxicity.

Habitat: Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, as well as the Caribbean Sea.

Treatment: Salt water is normally used to clean the wound caused by the fire coral’s venom. Vinegar can also be used. It is very important to treat the wound with alcohol or acid. Hydrocortisone creams can also be used to lessen discomfort. And, in case of allergic victims or more serious injuries, seeking medical help is essential.

Technically more semiaquatic than marine, the platypus is a strange animal. It looks like a cross between a duck and a beaver. It is a mammal, but the female lays eggs and has no nipples, sweating milk to feed her young. But the male has poisonous spurs on his paws. They typically use them to fight rivals during the mating season, but will attack humans if provoked.

Habitat: Australian rivers and streams.

Treatment: Platypus venom is generally not fatal to humans and there has never been a reported case of death. Interestingly, morphine is unable to treat pain, so doctors often use injections of local anesthesia. On the other hand, some scientists have developed research to evaluate the possibility of using the poison in the treatment of diabetes.

Do you know other types of poisonous animals? Please share with us in the comments!