Distinguishing Characteristics |
Bell gelatinous, about the size of a fist, cube-shaped, flat on top, transparent; 4 muscular, hand-shaped fleshy pads (pedalia) hang from bottom of the bell, each with 7-9 fingers; each finger gives rise to a long (3-4 m or 9.8 to 13 ft), stinging tentacle; wart-like stinging bumps on the bell. |
Similar Species |
Box jellies are easy to distinguish from other jellies by their cube-shaped bell and the 4 pedalia (group of fleshy finger-like pads) that hang down from the bottom of the bell. Sea wasps differ from other box jellies found in the Gulf of Mexico by having only 1 tentacle per extensions ("fingers") of their pedalia. Other box jellies have multiple tentacles from each extension. |
Habitat |
Gulf and bay, open waters |
Maximum Size |
15 cm (6 in) width and height of bell |
Other Common Names |
box jellyfish, four-handed box jellyfish |
Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
Extremely venomous, has been known to kill people within minutes of being stung. |