We have only explored about 5% of the oceans. But, in that 5% we have found more than 200,000 marine creatures and new ones are being found every year. Some sea creatures are cute and perfectly harmless, some have even helped us make amazing advances in the medical field. But, others are dangerous and terrifying, more dangerous even than sharks.
Titan Triggerfish
The titan triggerfish can be found in coral reefs from Thailand to Australia. This beautiful fish can bite through flesh and divers’ fins, often without provocation.
Stingray
Yes, you can pet stingrays at many aquariums because their stingers have been removed, but those living in the wild still have their stingers and are very dangerous. In fact, it was a stingray that killed animal-themed TV personality Steve Irwin in 2006.
Flower Urchin
Named the most dangerous sea urchin in the 2014 Guinness Book of World Records in 2014, the flower urchin may look beautiful, but each of the ‘flowers’ on this sea urchin is actually a tentacle with a jaw that can infect toxic venom, which could kill you.
Electric Eel
The electric eel isn’t technically an eel at all. It got its name because of the way it attacks and kills its prey and predators. The body of an electric eel contains organs filled with nearly 6,000 electrolytes that hold electricity, much like small batteries. When something gets too close, it will discharge volts of electricity, causing shock and sometimes death.
Textile Cone Snail
The textile cone snail is a tiny animal that packs a deadly punch. Get too close to a live one and it can inject venom through its radular teeth that can paralyze and even kill a human.
Blue-Ringed Octopus
The blue-ringed octopus looks cute and harmless. It’s a tiny creature that’s smaller than a candy bar. But looks can deceive and this small sea creature actually produces venom that’s 1,000 more powerful than cyanide, and it carries enough to kill 26 humans in minutes.
Dubois Sea Snake
This Australian sea snake is considered the most venomous sea snake and one of the top most dangerous snakes in the world. Fortunately, the fangs on the Dubois sea snake are less than 2mm long, so instances of someone dying from this sea creature are rare.
Pufferfish
Also known as blowfish, pufferfish carry venom that’s 1,200 times more deadly than cyanide, making them one of the most toxic creatures in the world. But, despite the danger, this type of fish is considered a delicacy in japan, although one wrong cut during preparation could mean death for the person eating it.
Box Jellyfish
The venom of a box jellyfish is so powerful it can kill other sea creatures before they even know what’s going on. For humans, a sting can cause anything from excruciating pain to heart failure and some victims have passed away before reaching land
Stonefish
13 venomous dorsal spines that can kill tissue and send the human body into shock make the stonefish a deadly sea creature. In fact, it’s considered the most venomous fish known to man.
Lionfish
The lionfish has logs of long dorsal spines that look a little like a lion’s mane. Each one of these spines can inflict a sting that can cause extreme pain, respiratory failure and, sometimes, paralysis.
Flamboyant Cuttlefish
This brightly colored creature is the only toxic cuttlefish currently known to exist. It’s often compared to the blue-ringed octopus in that its flesh can kill any predator that eats it. And, like the blue-ringed octopus, it’s believed that the creature’s bright colors are a warning sign to potential predators to stay away.
Sea Slug
It’s a good idea to remember that most brightly colored sea creatures are dangerous, and sea slugs are no different. These beautiful animals can hold deadly chemicals from creatures they eat and store them for future use.
Fire Coral
Although it looks like coral, fire corals are members of the Hydrozoa class, which is more closely related to jellyfish. These tiny creatures attach themselves to coral and can inflict a sting that causes a burning sensation, and a raised rash.
