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Exhibit
See the Box jellyfish at Two Oceans Aquarium in this exhibit:
Box jellyfish Carybdea alata
Photograph by Karin Schwerm
Fast facts
- Box jellies can sting with their tentacles
- They often occur in swarms together
Box jellies are found off the west coast of South Africa and are often encountered in swarms by scuba divers.
These jellies have strong tentacles armed with thousands of stinging cells called “nematocysts”. These cells are used to stun and kill prey, which is then pulled into the mouth by the jelly’s tentacles.
Box jellies are related to the deadly sea wasps found off the coast of Australia. Although not as venomous as sea wasps, box jellies can give a very painful sting.
Download the document below to read more about jellyfish.