Box Jellyfish.... important data

[Firebrand]

IN a breakthrough that could bring a new defence against the world's deadliest animal, Queensland scientists have discovered that the box jellyfish flees from the colour red.

While a colour often associated with passion, red is a complete turnoff for the dreaded jellyfish, which in the warmer months inhabits tropical waters in northern Australia and has killed 70 people.
In tests done with Chironex fleckeri jellyfish bred in captivity for the first time, James Cook University Cairns researcher Jamie Seymour found that when a red object was placed before the animal, it would turn around and swim in the opposite direction.

The discovery means protecting beachgoers and swimmers could be as simple as changing the colour of stinger suits and swimming nets on beaches.

Dr Seymour said the find came during trials of coloured plastic with jellyfish in specially made 50,000-litre breeding tanks. "The jellyfish actively swam in the opposite direction from the red. When you put a red tube in the water they actively swim away from it, but if it's a black one, they will swim around it."

He said further research would investigate why box jellyfish were deterred by red and whether other colours could have the same effect.

The box jellyfish inhabit waters from Exmouth in Western Australia to Gladstone in Queensland from November to May.

So does it mean that DIR should no longer stand for "Do It Right" and change to "Do It Red"? Just a thought.

 

[Jeff Toorish]

.....and in a recent study it has been shown that the red color that deters the Box Jellyfish actually attracts the Great White...... more on this later.

You beat me to it!

Cheers!

Safe Diving

Jeff