The most dangerous predators of the seas and oceans. Sharks are formidable predators of the seas and oceans Marine predators
The seas and oceans form a joint unique ecosystem, which becomes the habitat of millions amazing creatures. Some inhabitants of the depths are the largest living organisms on the planet, others can be viewed using unusually powerful microscopes.
In the process of evolution, every living creature in the ocean has developed a unique strategy that allows each individual and the species as a whole to survive in the depths of the waters.
However, not all inhabitants of the ocean chose a defensive form of behavior; some of the representatives of the underwater fauna became real predators, aggressive, cunning, insidious and deadly.
This article will name the most deadly inhabitants of the deep sea.
"Blunt Shark"
It hunts in shallow waters, where people often swim, and is deservedly considered one of the most insidious and dangerous sharks that live in the ocean.
Sharks of this species are called “blunt-snouted”, due to their massive, solid body, and a certain shape of the mouth, reminiscent of the edge of a square. The aggressive reputation of blunt-nosed sharks is confirmed by the frequency of attacks and killings of people. An adult reaches four meters and moves underwater with amazing speed. She literally hunts in the waters of all oceans, eating everything in her path.
Scientists have recently found that the shark practically does not use its eyes when hunting; it relies on more “subtle” senses. A developed sense of smell allows her to detect the scent of prey at a distance of up to two kilometers.
A special organ on her head detects the slightest vibrations in the water, which helps her track her prey. Once the predator has identified its prey, it quickly rushes towards it, accelerating up to 20 kilometers per hour, which is twice as fast as an Olympic swimmer swims.
The blunt-nosed shark is armed with teeth, the edges of which resemble small saw blades. Indeed, evolution created ruthless killer. It is almost impossible for a person to escape from its mouth.
"Big Barracuda"
Sharks are not the only creatures that have been designed by evolution to be ruthless predators. There are many creatures in the ocean that can boast of being deadly.
There are approximately 26 species of barracuda in the world, but the "Great Barracuda" is the largest, most aggressive and dangerous. Its structure is similar to a torpedo. An adult reaches 2 meters and weighs 45-50 kilograms. It can pursue its prey at depths of up to 100 meters. The hunter determines the exact location of the prey thanks to excellent vision. The large barracuda is an excellent strategist; scientists have determined that this predator uses two methods of catching prey, catching up with the victim, reaching a speed of 55 km/h, or waiting for prey in ambush. Fortunately, this predator rarely attacks humans; there are only two officially known cases of a barracuda killing a person.
"Sperm whale"
The length of an adult individual reaches 25 meters, and the weight can reach up to 50 tons. Every day this giant carnivore eats a ton of food. The sperm whale's throat is large enough for it to swallow an adult man. According to the official scientific paradigm, this sea monster does not hunt people, but is content with octopuses and fish, which it eats thanks to its dagger-sharp teeth. Although some scientists suggest that the sperm whale can eat a person, as an alternative to the same octopus.
"Electric Stingray"
The large disc-shaped body of the electric stingray can weigh more than 40 kilograms. This is one of the 24 species of stingrays that can strike with force. electric shock. This blow can “turn off” a person for a long time, and in some cases even kill. Often, lonely scuba divers die because of that creature, stunned by its blow; they simply do not have time to surface when the oxygen in the cylinders runs out.
A stingray, attacking its prey, inflicts a crushing electric shock on it, which destroys its nervous system and leads to muscle spasm. This predator can attack its victims at depths of up to 200 meters, but prefers to hunt in shallow water.
"Sailboat"
This type of fish does not have teeth as long as a blade, but a sharp growth protruding forward can be used by them as lethal weapon. Often people die while fishing for this ocean inhabitant. The sailfish grows up to four meters and can weigh 100 kilograms. This predator is the fastest of all hunters in the ocean; its sculpted body shape allows it to accelerate to speeds of 120 km/h.
"Leopard Sea"
This species of seal feeds primarily on warm-blooded prey. His hunting grounds are cold arctic waters. Its main dish is penguins, which the leopard seal mercilessly pursues and eats. On average, the predator kills 5-6 penguins per day. Penguins can only hide on floating ice floes. During the hunt, the leopard seal reaches speeds of up to 40 km/h. Its weight is 500 kilograms.
"Spike-cushioned sea urchin"
Sea urchins are small creatures that typically have a hard shell and are covered in sharp spines. In addition, one type of sea urchin can also bite.
However, we will talk about a completely harmless, at first glance, representative of this species. It does not have sharp thorns and at the same time looks bright and festive.
Spine-cushioned sea urchin, despite the festive season, bright color deadly and merciless, the poison in its needles can easily end the life of an adult. A pouch on each needle contains a potent toxin that enters the victim's body as soon as the needle breaks the skin.
However, this is not the entire arsenal of this creature. In addition to needles with poison, the hedgehog has many tiny jaws, which contain small fangs. A particularly dangerous toxin accumulates at the end of the teeth, which, when released into the blood, paralyzes the nervous system.
The ocean is fraught with a huge number of dangers; at first glance, harmless creatures can cause significant harm to humans, what can we say about the creatures that were presented on this list.
Man has long needed to understand that he is not such a master of wild nature; in the face of real predators, all the achievements of civilization fade.
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Original taken from billfish561 in Beautiful, but dangerous inhabitants of the seas and oceans.
There are quite a lot of creatures living in sea and ocean waters, an encounter with which can cause a person trouble in the form of injury or even lead to disability or death.
Here I have tried to describe the most common sea inhabitants that you should be wary of when you encounter them in the water, while relaxing and swimming on the beach of a resort or while diving.
If you ask any person "...Which inhabitant of the seas and oceans is the most dangerous?", then we will almost always hear the answer “... shark..." But is this so? Who is more dangerous, a shark or an outwardly completely harmless shell?
Moray eels
It reaches a length of 3 m and a weight of up to 10 kg, but as a rule, individuals are found about a meter long. The fish has bare skin, without scales. They are found in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and are widespread in the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Moray eels live in the bottom layer of water, one might say at the bottom. During the day, moray eels sit in crevices of rocks or corals, sticking their heads out and usually moving them from side to side, looking for passing prey; at night they get out of their shelters to hunt. Moray eels usually feed on fish, but they also attack crustaceans and octopuses, which are caught from ambush.
After processing, moray eel meat can be eaten. It was especially valued by the ancient Romans.
Moray eel is potentially dangerous to humans. A diver who has become a victim of a moray eel attack always somehow provokes this attack - he sticks his hand or foot into the crevice where the moray eel is hiding, or chases it. A moray eel, when attacking a person, inflicts a wound that is similar to the bite mark of a barracuda, but unlike a barracuda, the moray eel does not immediately swim away, but hangs on its victim like a bulldog. She can grab the arm with a bulldog death grip, from which the diver cannot free himself, and then he can die.
It is not poisonous, but since moray eels do not disdain carrion, the wounds are very painful, do not heal for a long time and often become inflamed. Hides among underwater rocks and coral reefs in crevices and caves.
When moray eels begin to feel hungry, they jump out of their shelters like an arrow and grab a victim swimming by. Very gluttonous. Very strong jaws and sharp teeth.
Moray eels are not very attractive in appearance. But they do not attack scuba divers, as some believe; they are not aggressive. Isolated cases occur only when moray eels mating season. If a moray eel mistakes a person for a source of food or he invades its territory, then it may still attack.
Barracudas
All barracudas live in tropical and sub- tropical waters The world's oceans near the surface. There are 8 species in the Red Sea, including the large barracuda. There are not many species in the Mediterranean Sea - only 4, of which 2 moved there from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. The so-called “malita”, which has settled in the Mediterranean Sea, provides the bulk of the entire Israeli catch of barracudas. The most ominous feature of barracudas is the powerful lower jaw, which protrudes far beyond the upper jaw. The jaws are equipped with fearsome teeth: a row of small, razor-sharp teeth dot the outside of the jaw, and a row of large, dagger-like teeth inside.
The maximum recorded size of a barracuda is 200 cm, weight is 50 kg, but usually the length of a barracuda does not exceed 1-2 m.
She is aggressive and fast. Barracudas are also called “living torpedoes” because they attack their prey with great speed.
Despite such a formidable name and ferocious appearance, these predators are practically harmless to humans. It should be remembered that all attacks on people occurred in muddy or dark water, where the moving arms or legs of a swimmer were mistaken by the barracuda for swimming fish (This is exactly the situation the author of the blog found himself in in February 2014, when he was on vacation in Egypt, Oriental Bay Resort Marsa Alam 4+* (now called Aurora Oriental Bay Marsa Alam Resort 5*) Marsa Gabel el Rosas Bay . A medium-sized barracuda, 60-70cm, almost bit off the first f alang of the index finger on right hand. A piece of a finger was hanging on a 5mm piece of skin (dive gloves saved me from complete amputation). At the Marsa Alam clinic, the surgeon put 4 stitches and saved the finger, but the rest was completely ruined ). In Cuba, the reason for attacking a person was shiny objects such as watches, jewelry, knives. It will not be superfluous if the shiny parts of the equipment are painted dark.
The barracuda's sharp teeth can damage the arteries and veins of the limbs; in this case, the bleeding must be stopped immediately, since blood loss can be significant. In the Antilles, barracudas are more feared than sharks.
Jellyfish
Every year, millions of people suffer from “burns” from contact with jellyfish while swimming.
There are no particularly dangerous jellyfish in the waters of the seas washing the Russian shores; the main thing is to prevent these jellyfish from coming into contact with mucous membranes. In the Black Sea, the easiest jellyfish to encounter are Aurelia and Cornerot. They are not very dangerous, and their “burns” are not very strong.
Aurelia "butterflies" (Aurelia aurita)
Cornermouth jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo)
Only in Far Eastern seas lives enough cross jellyfish, dangerous to humans, the poison of which can even lead to the death of a person. This small jellyfish with a cross pattern on its umbrella causes severe burns at the point of contact with it, and after a while causes other disorders in the human body - difficulty breathing, numbness of the limbs.
Cross Medusa (Gonionemus vertens)
consequences of a cross jellyfish burn
The further south you go, the more dangerous the jellyfish are. In the coastal waters of the Canary Islands, a pirate awaits unwary swimmers - the “Portuguese man-of-war” - a very beautiful jellyfish with a red crest and a multi-colored bubble-sail.
Portuguese man of war (Physalia physalis)
The "Little Man of Portugal" looks so harmless and beautiful at sea... 
And this is what the leg looks like after contact with the "Portuguese man-of-war"....
Many jellyfish live in the coastal waters of Thailand.
But the real scourge for swimmers is the Australian “sea wasp”. She kills with a light touch of multi-meter tentacles, which, by the way, can wander on their own without losing their murderous qualities. You can pay for getting acquainted with the “sea wasp” with severe “burns” and lacerations at best, and with life at worst. The sea wasp jellyfish killed more people than from sharks. This jellyfish lives in the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, is especially numerous off the coast of Northern Australia. The diameter of its umbrella is only 20-25 mm, but the tentacles reach a length of 7-8 m and they contain venom similar in composition to cobra venom, but much stronger. A person who is touched by a “sea wasp” with its tentacles usually dies within 5 minutes.
Australian box jellyfish or "sea wasp"
(Chironex fleckeri)
burn from jellyfish "sea wasp"
Aggressive jellyfish also live in the Mediterranean and other Atlantic waters - the “burns” caused by them are stronger than the “burns” of Black Sea jellyfish, and they cause allergic reactions more often. These include cyanea ("hairy jellyfish"), pelagia ("little lilac sting"), chrysaora ("sea nettle") and some others.
Atlantic cyanide jellyfish (Cyanea capillata)
Pelagia (Noctiluca), known in Europe as "purple sting"
Pacific sea nettle (Chrysaora fuscescens)
Jellyfish "Compass"
(Coronatae)
Compass jellyfish chose the coastal waters of the Mediterranean Sea and one of the oceans - the Atlantic - as their place of residence. They live off the coast of Turkey and the United Kingdom. This is enough large jellyfish, their diameter reaches thirty centimeters. They have twenty-four tentacles, which are arranged in groups of three each. The body color is yellowish-white with a brown tint, and its shape resembles a saucer-bell, which has thirty-two lobes, which are colored brown at the edges.
The upper surface of the bell has sixteen brown V-shaped rays. The lower part of the bell is the location of the mouth opening, surrounded by four tentacles. These jellyfish are poisonous. Their venom is potent and often leads to the formation of wounds that are very painful and take a long time to heal..
And yet the most dangerous jellyfish They live in Australia and its adjacent waters. Burns from box jellyfish and Portuguese man-of-war are very serious and often fatal.
Stingrays
Stingrays of the stingray family and electric rays can cause trouble. It should be noted that the stingrays themselves do not attack a person; injury can be caused if you step on him when this fish is hiding at the bottom.
Stingray stingray (Dasyatidae)
Electric Stingray (Torpediniformes)
Stingrays live in almost all seas and oceans. In our (Russian) waters you can find the stingray, or it is otherwise called catfish. It is found both in the Black Sea and in the seas of the Pacific coast. If you step on a stingray buried in the sand or resting at the bottom, it can cause a serious wound to the offender, and, among other things, inject poison into it. He has a barb on his tail, or rather a real sword - up to 20 centimeters in length. Its edges are very sharp, and also jagged, along the blade, on the lower side there is a groove in which dark poison from the poisonous gland on the tail is visible. If you touch a stingray lying at the bottom, it will strike with its tail like a whip; at the same time, it sticks out its spine and can cause a deep chopped wound. A wound from a stingray blow is treated like any other.
The Black Sea is also home to the sea fox stingray Raja clavata - large, up to one and a half meters from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, it is harmless to humans - unless, of course, you try to grab it by the tail, covered with long sharp spines. Electric stingrays are not found in the waters of Russian seas.
Sea anemones(anemones)
Sea anemones inhabit almost all the seas of the globe, but, like the rest coral polyps, they are especially numerous and diverse in warm waters. Most species live in shallow coastal waters, but they are often found in maximum depths World ocean. Sea anemones Usually hungry sea anemones sit completely calm, with tentacles widely spaced. At the slightest changes occurring in the water, the tentacles begin to oscillate, not only they stretch out towards the prey, but often the entire body of the sea anemone bends. Having grabbed the victim, the tentacles contract and bend towards the mouth.
Sea anemones are well armed. Stinging cells are especially numerous in predatory species. A volley of fired stinging cells kills small organisms and often causes severe burns in larger animals, even humans. They can cause burns, just like some types of jellyfish.
Octopuses
Octopuses (Octopoda) are the most famous representatives of cephalopods. “Typical” octopuses are representatives of the suborder Incirrina, bottom-dwelling animals. But some representatives of this suborder and all species of the second suborder, Cirrina, are pelagic animals that live in the water column, and many of them are found only at great depths.
They live in all tropical and subtropical seas and oceans, from shallow waters to depths of 100-150 m. They prefer rocky coastal zones, looking for caves and crevices in the rocks for habitat. In the waters of the Russian seas they live only in the Pacific region.
The common octopus has the ability to change color to adapt to its environment. This is explained by the presence in his skin of cells with various pigments that, under the influence of impulses from the central nervous system, can stretch or contract depending on the perception of the senses. The usual color is brown. If the octopus is scared, it turns white; if it is angry, it turns red.
When enemies approach (including divers or scuba divers), they flee, hiding in rock crevices and under stones.
The real danger is an octopus bite if handled carelessly. The secretion of the poisonous salivary glands can be injected into the wound. In this case, acute pain and itching is felt in the bite area.
When a common octopus bites, a local inflammatory reaction occurs. Heavy bleeding indicates a slowdown in the blood clotting process. Usually, recovery occurs within two to three days. However, there are cases of severe poisoning in which symptoms of damage to the central nervous system occur. Wounds caused by octopuses are treated in the same way as injections. poisonous fish.
Blue-ringed octopus (Blue-ringed Octopus)
One of the contenders for the title of the most dangerous sea animal for humans is octopus Octopus maculosus, which is found along the coast of the Australian province of Queensland and near Sydney, is found in the Indian Ocean and occasionally in the Far East. Although the size of this octopus rarely exceeds 10 cm, it contains enough poison to kill ten people.
Lionfish
Lionfish (Pterois) of the family Scorpaenidae pose a great danger to humans. They are easily recognized by their rich and bright colors, which warns of the effective means of protection these fish have. Even marine predators prefer to leave this fish alone. The fins of this fish look like brightly decorated feathers. Physical contact with such fish can be fatal.
Lionfish
(Pterois)
Despite its name, it cannot fly. The fish got this nickname because of its large pectoral fins, which look a little like wings. Other names for lionfish are zebra fish or lion fish. She got the first because of the wide gray, brown and red stripes located throughout her body, and the second due to her long fins, which make her look like a predatory lion.
The lionfish belongs to the scorpionfish family. The body length reaches 30 cm, and the weight is 1 kg. The coloring is bright, which makes the lionfish noticeable even at great depths. The main decoration of the lionfish is the long ribbons of the dorsal and pectoral fins, which are what resemble a lion's mane. These luxurious fins conceal sharp, poisonous needles, which make the lionfish one of the most dangerous inhabitants of the seas.
The lionfish is widespread in tropical parts Indian and Pacific oceans off the coast of China, Japan and Australia. It lives mainly among coral reefs. lionfish Since it lives in the surface waters of the reef, it therefore poses a great danger to swimmers, who can step on it and be injured by sharp poisonous needles. The excruciating pain that occurs is accompanied by the formation of a tumor, breathing becomes difficult, and in some cases the injury leads to death.
The fish itself is very voracious and eats all kinds of crustaceans and small fish. The most dangerous include pufferfish, boxfish, sea Dragon, hedgehog fish, ball fish, etc. You only need to remember one rule: the more colorful the fish and the more unusual its shape, the more poisonous it is.
Cube body or box fish (Ostraction cubicus)
hedgehog fish (Diodontidae)
fish ball (Diodontidae)
In the Black Sea there are relatives of the lionfish - the noticeable scorpionfish (Scorpaena notata), it is no more than 15 centimeters in length, and the Black Sea scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus) - up to half a meter - but such large ones are found deeper, further from the coast. The main difference between the Black Sea scorpionfish is its long, rag-like flaps, supraorbital tentacles. In the noticeable scorpion fish these outgrowths are short.
conspicuous scorpionfish
(Scorpaena notata) 
black sea scorpionfish
(Scorpaena porcus)
The body of these fish is covered with spines and growths, the spines are covered with poisonous mucus. And although the scorpionfish’s venom is not as dangerous as that of the lionfish, it is better not to disturb it.
Among the dangerous Black Sea fish It should be noted sea dragon(Trachinus draco). An elongated, snake-like, bottom-dwelling fish with an angular large head. Like other bottom-dwelling predators, the dragon has bulging eyes on the top of its head and a huge, greedy mouth.
sea dragon
(Trachinus draco)
The consequences of a poisonous injection from a dragon are much more serious than in the case of scorpionfish, but not fatal.
Wounds from scorpionfish or dragon thorns cause burning pain, the area around the injections turns red and swells, then general malaise, fever, and your rest is interrupted for a day or two. If you have suffered from ruff thorns, consult a doctor. Wounds should be treated like regular scratches.
The “stone fish” or wart (Synanceia verrucosa) also belongs to the order of scorpion fish - no less, and in some cases more dangerous than lionfish. 
"stone fish" or wart
(Synanceia verrucosa) 
Sea urchins
Often in shallow waters there is a risk of stepping on a sea urchin.
Sea urchins are one of the most common and very dangerous inhabitants of coral reefs. The hedgehog's body, the size of an apple, is studded with 30-centimeter needles sticking out in all directions, similar to knitting needles. They are very mobile, sensitive and react instantly to irritation.
If a shadow suddenly falls on a hedgehog, it immediately points its needles towards danger and puts them together, several at a time, into a sharp, hard peak. Even gloves and wetsuits do not guarantee complete protection from the formidable peaks of the sea urchin. The needles are so sharp and fragile that, having penetrated deep into the skin, they immediately break off and it is extremely difficult to remove them from the wound. In addition to spines, hedgehogs are armed with small grasping organs - pedicillariae, scattered at the base of the spines.
The venom of sea urchins is not dangerous, but it causes burning pain at the injection site, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and temporary paralysis. And soon redness and swelling appear, sometimes there is loss of sensitivity and secondary infection. The wound must be cleaned of needles, disinfected, and to neutralize the poison, hold the damaged part of the body in very hot water 30-90 minutes or apply a pressure bandage.
After meeting a black “long-spined” sea urchin, black dots may remain on the skin - this is a trace of pigment, it is harmless, but it can make it difficult to find the needles stuck in you. After first aid, consult a doctor.
Shells (molluscs)
Often on the reef among the corals there are wavy valves of bright blue color.
tridacna clam
(Tridacna gigas)
According to some reports, divers sometimes get caught between its doors, as if in a trap, which leads to their death. The danger of tridacna, however, is greatly exaggerated. These clams live in shallow reef areas in clear tropical waters, so they are easy to spot due to their large size, brightly colored mantle, and ability to spray water at low tide. A diver caught in a shell can easily free himself by inserting a knife between the valves and cutting the two muscles that compress the valves.
Poisonous shellfish Cone
(Conidae)
Don't touch beautiful shells(especially big ones). Here it is worth remembering one rule: all mollusks that have a long, thin and pointed ovipositor are poisonous. These are representatives of the conus genus of the gastropod class, having a brightly colored conical shell. Its length in most species does not exceed 15-20 cm. The cone injects with a needle-sharp spike that protrudes from the narrow end of the shell. Inside the thorn there is a duct of the poisonous gland, through which very strong poison is injected into the wound. 
Various species of the genus conus are common on coastal shallows and coral reefs of warm seas.
At the moment of the injection, a sharp pain is felt. At the site where the spike was inserted, a reddish dot is visible against the background of pale skin.
The local inflammatory reaction is insignificant. A feeling of acute pain or burning appears, and numbness of the affected limb may occur. In severe cases, there is difficulty speaking, flaccid paralysis quickly develops, and knee reflexes disappear. Death may occur within a few hours.
In case of mild poisoning, all symptoms disappear within 24 hours.
First aid consists of removing thorn fragments from the skin. The affected area is wiped with alcohol. The affected limb is immobilized. The patient is taken to the medical center in a supine position.
Corals
Coral, both living and dead, can cause painful cuts (be careful when walking on coral islands). And the so-called “fire” corals are armed with poisonous needles that dig into human body in case of physical contact with them.
The basis of the coral is made up of polyps - marine invertebrate animals measuring 1-1.5 millimeters or slightly larger (depending on the species).
As soon as it is born, the baby polyp begins to build a cell house in which it spends its entire life. Micro-houses of polyps are grouped into colonies from which a coral reef ultimately appears.
When hungry, the polyp sticks out tentacles with many stinging cells from its “house”. The smallest animals that make up the plankton encounter the tentacles of the polyp, which paralyzes the victim and sends it into the mouth. Despite their microscopic size, the stinging cells of polyps have a very complex structure. Inside the cell there is a capsule filled with poison. The outer end of the capsule is concave and looks like a thin spirally twisted tube called a stinging filament. This tube, covered with tiny spines directed backwards, resembles a miniature harpoon. When touched, the stinging thread straightens, the “harpoon” pierces the victim’s body, and the poison passing through it paralyzes the prey.
Poisoned coral harpoons can also injure humans. Dangerous ones include, for example, fire coral. Its colonies in the form of “trees” made of thin plates have chosen the shallow waters of tropical seas.
The most dangerous stinging corals from the genus Millepora are so beautiful that scuba divers cannot resist the temptation to break off a piece as a souvenir. This can be done without “burns” and cuts only in tarpaulin or leather gloves.
Fire coral (Millepora dichotoma)
When talking about such passive animals as coral polyps, it is worth mentioning another interesting type of marine animal - sponges. Typically, sponges are not classified as dangerous marine inhabitants, however, in the waters of the Caribbean there are some species that can cause severe skin irritation to a swimmer upon contact with them. It is believed that the pain can be relieved with a weak solution of vinegar, but the unpleasant consequences from contact with the sponge can last several days. These primitive animals belong to the genus Fibula and are often called touch-me-not sponges.
Sea snakes (Hydrophidae)
Little is known about sea snakes. This is strange, since they live in all the seas of the Pacific and Indian oceans and are not among the rare inhabitants of the deep sea. Maybe it's because people just don't want to deal with them.
And there are serious reasons for this. After all, sea snakes are dangerous and unpredictable.
There are about 48 species of sea snakes. This family once left land and completely switched to an aquatic lifestyle. Because of this, sea snakes have acquired some features in the structure of the body, and in appearance they are somewhat different from their terrestrial counterparts. The body is flattened laterally, the tail is in the form of a flat ribbon (in flat-tailed representatives) or slightly elongated (in swallowtails). The nostrils are located not on the sides, but on the top, so it is more convenient for them to breathe, sticking the tip of the muzzle out of the water. The lung stretches throughout the body, but these snakes absorb up to a third of all oxygen from the water with the help of the skin, which is densely permeated with blood capillaries. A sea snake can stay underwater for more than an hour. 
The venom of the sea snake is dangerous to humans. Their venom is dominated by an enzyme that paralyzes the nervous system. When attacking, the snake quickly strikes with two short teeth, slightly bent back. The bite is practically painless, there is no swelling or hemorrhage.
But after some time, weakness appears, coordination is impaired, and convulsions begin. Death occurs from paralysis of the lungs within a few hours.
The great toxicity of the venom of these snakes is a direct result aquatic habitat: To prevent the prey from escaping, it must be instantly paralyzed. True, the venom of sea snakes is not as dangerous as the venom of snakes that live with us on land. When a flattail bites, 1 mg of poison is released, and when a swallowtail bites, 16 mg is released. So, a person has a chance to survive. Out of 10 people bitten by sea snakes, 7 people remain alive, of course, if they receive medical assistance in time.
True, there is no guarantee that you will be among the last.
Among other dangerous aquatic animals, especially dangerous freshwater inhabitants should be mentioned - crocodiles that live in the tropics and subtropics, piranha fish that live in the Amazon River basin, freshwater electric stingrays, as well as fish whose meat or some organs are poisonous and can cause acute poisoning.
If you are interested in more detailed information about dangerous species jellyfish and corals, you can find it at http://medusy.ru/
Barracuda / Photo: wikimediaThe barracuda is the top model of the tropical oceans: long, up to two meters, thin and graceful. Who would have thought that this beauty is just a killing machine. Barracudas hunt in schools, reach speeds of up to 45 km/h and are absolutely not afraid of anyone. Their teeth are miniature shark jaws.
A barracuda can easily attack a person, but not out of malice: in muddy water or in dark time for days she mistakes our arms and legs for fish that can be eaten. She is also attracted to shiny objects - watches, knives, tools. Remember, barracuda is the top of its food chain, with a hunting experience of 50 million years. If you decide to scuba dive in her domain, be polite and careful.
Striped Tang
Cavity surgeon / Photo: wikimedia The striped tang is very beautiful fish. Small, up to 40 cm in length, it lives in the Pacific and Indian oceans. The fish has yellow-blue stripes on its sides and a blue belly with an orange fin. When you look at it, your hand reaches out to touch it. You shouldn’t do this: at the tips of the surgeon’s tail there are scalpel-sharp plates, which are also poisonous.
Remember that there are 1,200 species of poisonous fish in the ocean, which affect up to 50,000 people a year. However, dangerous fish compensate for the damage caused - they are indispensable in the development of new drugs.
Yellow sea anemone
Yellow sea anemone / Photo: cepolina Don't pick flowers for your loved one at the bottom of the sea. If only because these are not flowers at all. Sea anemones look like a hybrid of a tulip and a peon, reaching a meter in diameter. They live in the tropics and subtropics. In their youth, anemones are attached with their “sole” to solid ground and can no longer move. Never mind, they will still get you: the anemones instantly release tentacles that pierce the fish carelessly swimming nearby. A paralyzing neurotoxin renders the victim immobile. All that remains for the anemone is to drag it to its mouth, grab it with its labial tentacles and eat it. The man, of course, is too large to become lunch, but he is guaranteed a painful burn.
Moray eel
Moray eel / Photo: davyjoneslocker The moray eel is a fearsome underwater snake up to three meters in length, with a rock-hard crest on its back. Lives in tropical and temperate waters. It looks like it has a small mouth, but in fact it is capable of opening its mouth so wide, swallowing its prey, that it simply cannot do this in its cave. Yawning so much that you can’t even fit into your home is a record.
However, the moray eel does not like to leave the cave, so it does something simpler: it has two rows of toothy jaws, and the second row suddenly moves forward to grab the prey that swims past the doors. It's like a horror movie, isn't it? The surrounding fish know that it is better not to swim onto the “staircase” of the eel, so at night he still has to leave the house to hunt.
Toadfish
Toadfish / Photo: wikimedia It's hard to imagine a creature uglier than a toad fish. Her huge head is flattened, her mouth is stretched to her ears, and her whole body is covered with growths. Only its small size saves us from fainting: up to half a meter in length and no more than three kilograms of live weight. At the same time, the toadfish is very peaceful: it sits quietly on the bottom, blending in color with it for camouflage purposes, and waits for unwary squids and shrimp. Powerful jaws crunch through the shells of crabs and oysters.
The toadfish defends its territory by making a sound similar to a grinding or honking sound and exhibiting poisonous spines. Respect personal space and you will not have problems with her. But as luck would have it, this fish lives in the western part of the Atlantic, including near the “white beaches” of the resort state of Florida. Hundreds of swimmers jump out of the water screaming, having stumbled upon a poisonous thorn, and are sent straight to the hospital.
Great white shark
Big White shark/ Photo: Alamy The white shark needs no introduction. Even those who have never seen the sea know that this fish is a cannibal. Up to six meters in length, it can weigh more than two tons. To her, a person is just a slice of bacon. To bite through that slice, the white shark has 300 teeth, immortalized by Spielberg in the movie Jaws.
Luckily, humans don't seem tasty to the shark. She likes dolphins, seals, fur seals and turtles much more. When the mood strikes, the white shark feasts on carrion: the carcass of a dead whale is a whole banquet for it. Sometimes she eats other sharks - yes, she is a cannibal not only because she eats people. It is found in all oceans except the Arctic Ocean, but is on the verge of extinction: there are about 3,500 individuals left in the world.
Cone snail
Cone snail / Photo: wikimedia The small cone snail not only looks harmless - it makes you want to take it home as a souvenir. The correct cone-shaped shape especially attracts attention. An unwary tourist takes the snail in his hand, and the cone, torn out of its usual environment, begins to defend itself. A poisonous thorn is used, which shoots like a dart from a snail's snout. The souvenir comes at a high price: the poison from the cone is deadly to humans, and every third victim does not make it to the hospital.
The cone has an excellent sense of smell - it is able to follow the trail of a victim for hours. Usually the snail hunts mollusks or small fish, which, of course, are faster than the cone itself, but slower than its harpoon, which can hit a target at a distance of a meter. In times of famine, cone snails eat their own kind without sentimentality - yes, they are also cannibals.
Indonesian pipefish
Indonesian needlefish / Photo: David Doubilet Everyone knows what a needle fish is: a thin, nimble predator up to 60 cm long, so flexible that it can be tied in a knot. A distinctive feature is the muzzle, elongated in the shape of a needle and full of sharp teeth. Some species of needlefish feel great in the Black Sea and quite friendly avoid divers.
The Indonesian needlefish is also quite peaceful - while it is under water. However, she has a habit of jumping out of the water at Fresh air, where it immediately turns into a throwing dagger, only very angry. This is not to say that the needle does this often. But when she does, for the person who has become her target, it all ends with severe injuries or death. The needle digs into the body, easily biting through the artery. It takes a lot of courage for Indonesian fishermen to go out fishing at night - in the dark, the lights on the boats attract fish and provoke an attack.
Saltwater crocodile
Saltwater crocodile / Photo: wikimedia The saltwater crocodile is better known as saltwater crocodile because it lives in salt water. But its most telling name is the man-eating crocodile. This largest predator on the planet currently living - it reaches seven meters in length, its weight can exceed two tons. It lives in estuaries and coastal waters throughout Southeast Asia and northern Australia, and is the most widespread crocodile in the world.
The saltwater crocodile is extremely aggressive. Huge six-meter males love to organize fights without rules - brutal fights that end in the death of the enemy. This predator hunts alone and eats everything it can handle - and it can handle absolutely everything that lives in its habitat. Another favorite sport is jumping up above the surface of the water. A crocodile can throw almost its entire body out of the water - two tons! - pushing off the bottom with his tail. He is a cannibal - he even eats representatives of his own species, and even snacks on other crocodiles without counting. I don’t even want to remember the human victims: jaws saltwater crocodile They snack people like marshmallows, and it’s good if you die quickly.
Hairy cyanea
Hairy cyanea / Photo: masterok Cyanea is very similar to the colorful jellyfish that we were all afraid of as children. But as people grow, so do their fears: it is tens of times larger than an ordinary jellyfish. Its “cap” reaches two meters in diameter, and its thick tentacles extend up to 30 meters. Another name for cyanide is “ lion's mane” – reflects her appearance well. The dense network of poisonous tentacles of a jellyfish perfectly catches small fish, plankton, and smaller jellyfish. Paralyzed by poison, they become easy prey.
Cyanea is often found in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic and Baltic Sea. In one of his stories, Arthur Conan Doyle made the jellyfish a killer of people, giving it a bad reputation. We are happy to report that this is not at all true: cyanea is not capable of killing a person, unless it causes serious skin damage. If you have a durable wetsuit and enough courage, you can swim with the beautiful sea monster without risking your life.
photo: John 'K'
Sharks
Perhaps the most dangerous predator in the ocean is the white shark: this animal brings great fear to people. Sharks lived in the ocean many years before humans appeared. About 400 species of these animals are known, but the white shark is considered the most dangerous predator. Her powerful teeth huge weight- about 3 tons and a length of about 6 meters can terrify anyone. The predator has a spindle-shaped body, large fins and a crescent-shaped tail, and lives for approximately 27 years. There are 300 sharp teeth in the oral cavity, the upper jaw is equipped with triangular teeth, and on the lower jaw they take on a curved shape.
photo:corwinconnect
However, humans are not a “delicacy” for these animals; they prefer to attack those inhabitants who have good fat reserves, for example, fur seals and lions. People are not very interesting for white sharks: they have a lot of muscle tissue and tendons. Shark attacks on people occur for two reasons:
a person flounders in the water, and a predator mistakes him for easy prey - a sick animal;
the silhouette of a man floating on a surfboard resembles the outlines of other inhabitants of the ocean. Because sharks have poor eyesight, they may mistake a swimmer for mere prey. To make sure that the prey is edible, the predator makes a test bite or limits itself to a powerful push, but it can also tear the prey into pieces.
photo: Venson Kuchipudi
It is difficult to predict how a white shark will behave. Having caught prey, the shark shakes its head in different directions, which helps it tear the victim into pieces.
Scientists believe that thanks to this animal, the Pacific Ocean is the cleanest, since the shark eats the weakest creatures.
Sea anemones
These organisms belong to the class of cnidarians, distinctive feature which is the presence of stinging cells used for protection from predators and for the purpose of attack. Anemones lead a sedentary lifestyle, their length reaches 1 meter in height.
photo:Achim
These predators are attached to the bottom with a special leg called the basal disc or sole. The tentacles of sea anemones, the number of which varies from ten to hundreds, contain special cells called cnidocytes. These cells secrete a venom, a mixture of toxins, intended for hunting and self-defense. The poison contains substances that affect the nervous system: they paralyze the victim, which allows the predator to pull it closer to the mouth. With the help of poison, sea anemones immobilize fish and crustaceans, which constitute their main diet.
For humans, the venom of stinging cells is not life-threatening, but can cause pain and burns.
Killer whales
These predators belong to the dolphin family, but do not have all the benevolent features of these animals. Their nickname is the killer whale; they eat almost all the inhabitants of the oceans: shellfish, fish, mammals. If there is enough food for them, then killer whales exist quite peacefully with other cetaceans. But if a killer whale gets hungry, a whale, a penguin, or a penguin can become food for it.
photo: Nick Johnson
The size of the victim has no special significance: If it is a large animal, killer whales can attack as a whole herd. But when it is not possible to kill the prey in one fell swoop, killer whales can starve it out, biting off small pieces from the body. No one can be protected from the attack of killer whales - neither a small herring nor a large dolphin.
A pack of these animals works in a strictly regulated mode: when they notice the prey, they become very “silent”.
photo:Sean
They move in even ranks, like soldiers, and each individual has its own task. If a pod of killer whales leads sedentary image life, that fish or crustaceans are quite suitable for food. A migrating pod of killer whales may use it as food. large mammals such as seals and sea lions. They fully justify their nickname – “killer whales”.
These are representatives of the squad cephalopods. Octopuses have an excellent sense of smell, vision and touch, but they do not hear very well. Octopuses are agile animals that use their tentacles to capture prey and immobilize it with paralyzing poison. Their prey most often are crabs and lobsters: with the help of their tools, they split their shells and reach the body of the victim. Octopus venom is also dangerous for humans, causing problems with speech, breathing and swallowing. If help does not arrive in time, this can lead to death.
Photo: Neptune Canada
Octopuses are quite cunning creatures: when an enemy attacks, they seem to throw away their tentacles. The folded organ wriggles desperately, and the predator focuses directly on it. At this time, the octopus crawls away safely.
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Probably, of all the predators living on Earth, they cause the greatest fear in humans. It is difficult to find a more perfect and, at the same time, more ancient organism. Sharks are ideal and ancient predators that appeared 420–450 million years ago, and since then they have not changed much: in the form in which we know them now, they were formed during Jurassic period, when dinosaurs still walked the planet, and the first birds were just taking to the air.
We recently encountered one of these predators in Primorye. On August 17, a 25-year-old guy was attacked by a great white shark and bit off both his hands, and a day later a 16-year-old scuba diver was injured and escaped with severe lacerations to his legs.
There are about 350 different species of sharks in the waters of the World Ocean, and each of them is unique in its own way. Today we will take a closer look at some sharks and find out which of them is among the “big three”, the most dangerous killer sharks for humans.
Sharks are aquatic animals belonging to the superclass fish. All sharks are predators, i.e. for food they use animal food - from the smallest planktonic animals to large inhabitants of sea waters.
Sharks are very tenacious and do not have the same sensitivity to pain as other vertebrates. Their structure was so successfully honed by evolution that sharks survived the centuries-long struggle for existence with various, often very powerful predators, while changing little in the structure of their organs and body.
For convenience, we will mark in red species of sharks dangerous to humans, and green - relatively safe. However, do not forget that all sharks are predators. If you disturb these huge fish during a hunt, or provoke them consciously or unconsciously, then even harmless species are quite capable of attacking a person.
By the way, what should you do if you are suddenly attacked by a shark? A small infographic on this topic from rian.ru:
This type is common in tropical zone Indian and Pacific oceans. These are one of the most common sharks of coral reefs, inhabiting reefs of various types, living at depths of several meters. These sharks are small representatives of the family; they do not exceed 2 meters in length and weigh 45 kg. Found at depths of 30 cm or less.
Due to its small size, it is mainly not dangerous to humans. Although there are known cases of attacks on swimmers by blacktip reef sharks. In all reported cases, aggression from sharks was provoked by the smell of blood flowing into the water from fish harpooned by humans.
Blacktip reef sharks are sissies. For example, once during transportation, due to a staff error, the water in the container was two degrees below the possible minimum, and the sharks died from hypothermia. In another incident, 35-year-old English comedian Guy Venables, who was taking part in a show in a Brighton nightclub, jumped into a shark tank. The result of this prank was sad: the 12-year-old shark died of fright.
This shark can reach 4 meters in length, but usually does not exceed 2.5-3 meters. Looks a bit like a catfish:
It lives at a depth of 0.5 to 3 meters and can gather in schools of up to 40 individuals.
Slow and inactive nurse sharks feed on crabs, octopuses, sea urchins, and small fish.
Usually, Nurse sharks are safe for humans.
This predator usually reaches 3.5-4 meters in length.
Despite their rather terrifying appearance, sand tigers has a rather peaceful character and attack people only in self-defense. (Photo by David Doubilet):
It should be noted that the original method of maintaining buoyancy used by this type of shark is swallowing air and retaining it in the stomach.
Sand tiger sharks They are distributed mainly in warm climate zones, and there are especially many of them along the Australian coasts. The largest population lives off the coast of North Carolina, near shipwrecks.
Sand Tiger Teeth:
Currently, tiger sand sharks, like many other shark species, are on the verge of extinction. All this led to the inclusion of sand tiger sharks in the list of protected fish and their inclusion in the international Red Book.
Scuba divers hold a 3-meter ruler to show the size of the shark:
Hammers are large sharks . This is the most unusual shark. Basic distinctive feature The family of hammerhead sharks is the shape of their head - it is completely unusual in shape - in the form of a hammer, T-shaped, along the edges of which there are eyes.
According to one theory, the shark's head acquired the hammer shape gradually over millions of years, expanding each generation by a tiny distance. According to another theory, such a hammer did not appear as a result of gradual changes, but was the result of a sudden, bizarre mutation.
These sharks live in warm and temperate waters of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans at depths of up to 300-400 meters. These aggressive hunters feed various types fish, octopus, squid and crustaceans.
Hammerhead sharks (except the giant hammerhead) are up to 3.5-4.2 meters long and weigh about 450 kg.
In searching for food, the hammerhead shark is mainly helped not by its eyes, but by special receptors electromagnetic pulses. The predator can detect electrical discharges of one millionth of a volt!
Due to its large size, many researchers consider the hammerhead shark one of the most dangerous for a person. But she doesn’t specifically attack people. Many attacks that took place in front of numerous spectators are documented. One day, in 1805, three hammerhead sharks were caught in a net on Long Island. A human torso was found in the stomach of the largest of them.
One of the types of hammers - giant hammerhead shark (average length 4-5 meters) - listed in the International Red Book:
The largest species of shark, as well as the largest living representative of fish.
Although, according to some eyewitnesses, they encountered specimens ranging from 18 to 20 m in length, the largest specimen ever measured was 13.7 m in length. Whale sharks can weigh up to 12 tons.
Despite its impressive size, like a giant shark, it feeds exclusively on plankton and other small organisms, which it filters, drawing in water through a huge gullet with a diameter of 10 cm.
Whale sharks prefer water temperatures between 21 and 25°C and are distributed throughout the world, found in almost all warm tropical and many subtropical seas on and near the equator.
The whale shark is not dangerous to humans and behaves peacefully. She not only does not attack, but even turns away if a swimmer gets in her way.
It has been estimated that whale sharks can live up to 100 - 150 years.
Commonly found in tropical waters near islands in all oceans. Sharks live on the bottom and prefer to stay close to coastline next to underwater rocks and coral reefs with a strong current. These sharks reach sizes of 2.5 meters.
Galapagos gray shark- one of the few that demonstrates its intention to attack: before attacking, it arches its back, raises its head, lowers its fins, and while swimming it spins and rolls from side to side. She refers to species dangerous to humans.
Sharks' noses are sensitive to certain odors and can detect the presence of blood at a concentration of 1:1,000,000, which can be compared to a teaspoon of blood poured into a swimming pool.
Another trait they have is curiosity: sharks accompany ships, poke at the side, hit the oars and chase scuba divers.
The lifespan of the Galapagos shark is about 24 years.
It is the brightest representative of the largest species of fish. It is the second largest species of fish after the whale shark. It reaches a length of up to 10 meters and weighs about 4 tons.
Like whale shark, giant shark It feeds on plankton, but does not absorb water, but simply swims with its mouth open, filtering through its gills everything that gets into it. Thus, a giant shark is able to filter up to 2000 tons of water per hour.
Basking sharks are found in both eastern and western hemisphere, preferring cool or moderately warm latitudes and following the presence of plankton.
safe for humans and today it is endangered.
Females reach a length of 4 meters, males - up to 2.5 m. The maximum documented weight of a bull shark caught was 316.5 kg. On average, a bull shark lives 27-28 years.
The bull shark rightfully ranks 3rd place in the list of the most dangerous shark species for humans. This is an extremely aggressive animal that has the right to claim the title of an ideal and all-powerful predator. It is almost impossible to escape from a terrible monster attacking a swimmer.
Feeding a bull shark by scuba divers:
These bloodthirsty predators usually attack in the morning or late twilight, and, often, at a shallow depth - only 0.5m - 1m.
The behavior of bull sharks is impossible to predict. They can swim peacefully nearby for a long time, and then suddenly attack the swimmer. This attack can be a simple exploratory bite or an outright attack.
This is one of the most common shark species on Earth and ranks 2 1st place on the list of the most dangerous shark species for humans.
Sea tigers reach a length of 5 meters, but larger individuals are also found. Weight ranges from 570 to 750 kg. The lifespan of tiger sharks is probably 30-40 years.
Tiger shark teeth:
Until the shark reaches two meters in length, transverse stripes similar to those of a tiger are noticeable on its sides - hence the name.
Tiger sharks live in many seas of the World Ocean, preferring to stay in the coastal waters of the seas of tropical and subtropical thermal zones. The deep habitat range of tiger sharks extends from the surface of the sea to significant depths. They were encountered at a depth of almost 1 km.
Brave scuba diver:
This huge predator rightfully occupies 1st place in the list of the most dangerous shark species for humans.
It is officially stated that on August 17-18, 2011 in Primorye, in both cases, swimmers were attacked by the same fish - a white shark at least four meters in length.
"White death"- this name is known exclusively by this name big shark, found in the surface coastal waters of all major oceans of the Earth. Reaching a length of over 6 meters and a mass of 2,3000 kg, it is the largest modern predatory fish. Great white sharks - they are like torpedoes, with a powerful tail, thanks to which they move in the water at speeds of up to 24 km/h.
Scientists have determined the size of the largest specimen, the length of which has been reliably measured to be 6.4 meters. This great white shark was caught in Cuban waters in 1945, measured by experts and documented. The unconfirmed weight of this Cuban shark is 3,270 kg. (Photo by Epic Hanauer):
Wide mouth and sharp triangular teeth arranged in several rows. Experts advise that when attacked by sharks, “strike in the face, eyes and gills.” It is doubtful that such measures will help repel the attack of a 5-meter predator, which has honed its ability to kill over millions of years of evolution.
The number of teeth in a great white shark, like in a tiger shark, is 280-300.
However, the great white shark is on the verge of extinction - on Earth these beautiful, ancient predators only about 3,500 copies remain.
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