Habitat

Chironex fleckeri organisms inhabit many tourist areas in the eastern hemisphere. They can cause extensive problems during the summer months in the Australian tropics. These jellyfish are a major threat to civilians who partake in swimming excursions, other recreational activities, and commercial events near their habitat. You can find this species swimming near the northern coast of Australia and all the way up to southeast Asia. They are considered to be native species to Australia, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. 'Native species' means that this jellyfish has lived in this environment since it first evolved and has been adapting to the changing conditions as the years have passed. It has also remained in these specific areas located on the maps shown. Susan Jacups of Charles Darwin University, 2010, has used statistical analysis to study the arrival of C. fleckeri in the Northern Territory of Australia waters. Her findings have shown that this species returns to these waters after their mating season when the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) reaches 26° Celsius (C). However, more research has shown that many stings occur in water that is at least over 27° C, with the average water temperature being near 30° C. This data demonstrates the importance of this knowledge in regards to protecting the communities around this jelly's habitat along with taking precautions that can save lives.

 

Chironex fleckeri also inhabits shallow, gloomy waters. Areas such as these are where trouble may emerge. The box jelly's nearly transparent body becomes even more unnoticeable when placed in this environment. This mechanism is one in which the jellyfish benefits, but human recreationists can encounter a major dilemma. Along with these areas, this species also inhabits freshwater rivers during its reproductive season. To learn more about this, visit the Reproduction page!

 

 

 

One major problem regarding this box jelly's habitat is that people are constantly around them. With this species found in and around the Great Barrier Reef, safety precautions must be taken very seriously in these regions to avoid being stung by this deadly creature. Surfers and divers in particular can wear certain wet suits that protect themselves against this box jellyfish's deadly sting. If these precautions are not taken seriously, injuries (and sometimes death) can occur. To learn more about getting stung by this jellyfish, visit the Facts or Interactions pages! Want to learn about another species that lives near the Great Barrier Reef? Check out this organism: Thenus orientalis!

 

 

Want to learn of another animals that live near these regions? Check out the webpages all about Stichopus chloronotus, commonly known as the Greenfish, or Hippocampus kelloggi, the Great Seahorse!

Continue reading all about Chironex fleckeri by visiting the Adaptations page.

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