Figuring out new words 8

Tiny Assassins

1. Fathoms under the ocean live incredible creatures, both those of intense beauty and of bone-chilling fear. When we think of animals to be feared, we often default to similar images—large creatures with terrifying rows of daggerlike teeth. But some of the deadliest creatures of the deep are also some of the smallest, and they don’t even need teeth to destroy their prey.

Box Jellyfish

2. Although its airy tentacles give the impression of fragility, the box jellyfish is far from vulnerable. Those very tentacles that dance through the water in hypnotic motion contain an intense venom, one so toxic it can shut down human organs and decimate skin cells. At only about 25 centimeters across and around 1.8 kilograms in total weight, this minute killer relies on its virulent venom to stun its prey. If an unfortunate human encounters the sting of a box jellyfish, he or she is in danger of never reaching shore. Human victims who are stunned by the venom often experience shock and drown.

Cone Snail

3. The cone snail is one of the most sinister killers, due mostly to its innocuous appearance. The 6-inch snail lives inside beautiful beach shells, which are often highly prized by divers. Cone snails have a small proboscis, or tubelike mouth, which serves a dual purpose. It both injects the toxic venom into its victim and pulls the paralyzed victim closer by using a hook on its end. Certain species of the cone snail have venom that’s so pernicious you may not even realize the damage until it’s too late. This specialized venom contains powerful painkilling properties that mask the imminent danger.

Pufferfish

4. You might recognize the pufferfish as the cartooned driving instructor from a popular kids’ television show, but rest assured, this 3-foot-long fish is a stone-cold killer. While pufferfish mainly protect themselves from predators by blowing their bodies into a large ball, they have a backup plan in case this defense doesn’t work. They contain a lethal substance called tetrodotoxin, for which there’s no known antidote. This poison causes them to be foul-tasting, an important attribute to possess when attempting to escape predators.
5. But wait—don’t swear off the ocean forever! There’s good news. While all three of these creatures are deadly to both predators and prey, none of them are naturally inclined to harm humans. Box jellyfish and cone snails feast on small ocean creatures such as small fish, shrimp, and marine worms, and pufferfish prefer mainly invertebrates and algae. None of these killers are on the hunt for humans. As long as we respect their homes and their boundaries, we can continue to observe and learn from these fascinating specimens of nature.