by Monika Weise

Created on: July 15, 2009

Australia is famed for its beautiful beaches, enjoyed by native and tourist alike. The bright blue seas of the Pacific that lap onto Australia's shores harbor marine life of breathtaking beauty and splendor. Australians have a reputation for toughness, a trait that serves them well as they share their lovely waters with some of the most deadly sea creatures on Earth. Occasionally, the unwary tourist discovers what the Aussies have long known, that the seductive array of color and flowing motion that these animals display hide venomous defense systems that will fell even the most dangerous predator on Earth, Man. Wet suits, shark cages, and even spear guns are no protection against these lethal lovelies and their poisonous potential. Innocuous names like Stonefish and Marbled Cone Snail camouflage these watery residents' true nature, lulling the unknowing visitor into the true tourist trap of the Pacific - fatal interaction with the most poisonous creatures living in our oceans.

BLUE-RINGED OCTOPUS These cerulean-ringed cephalopods are small and normally docile. This denizen of tide pools from Japan to Australia normally keeps itself camouflaged, but when threatened, will deliver a poison-soaked bite for which there is no anti-venom. Despite its small size, the Blue-Ringed Octopus packs enough poison to kill over twenty humans. When this creature turns bright yellow, the smart beachcomber best beware.

STONEFISH A true master of disguise, the Stonefish's rock-like camouflage hides it even in plain sight. Living above the tropic of Capricorn, the Stonefish lives on coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef, and can also be found in the sand and some rivers. His row of 13 spines proves to be most unlucky to anyone careless enough to step on this creature, as the Stonefish delivers an extremely painful sting. Fortunately, anti-venom can save the few unfortunate victims of the Stonefish's poisonous barbs, but a good pair of sandals is the best defense.

BOXED JELLYFISH These cubical Cubozoans can be found in tropical areas, including the coast of California. While jellyfish in general are known for their painful stings, the Boxed Jellyfish, also known as the Sea Wasp, gives a sting that causes excruciating pain for weeks to people lucky enough to survive. Responsible for over 5,000 deaths since the 1950s, the Sea Wasp's sting doesn't just hurt; the venom eats away at the skin surrounding the wound. This fast-moving killer is an aggressive hunter,

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