There are over 50 species of box jellyfish, and thankfully not all of them are deadly. Many give no more than a painful sting to healthy people.
However, of the ones that can cause you harm, the four-handed box jellyfish has caused its fair share of deaths.
The four-handed box jellyfish lives in the western Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico. They are usually found in warm, open waters. However, they are sometimes pushed close to the coast by weather conditions and can wash up on shore when there are high winds.
The jellyfish is colorless, transparent, and measures approximately 14 centimeters / 5.5 inches across its cube-shaped body. Seven to nine stinging tentacles up to 4 meters / 13 feet long hang down in the water to catch food.
Each tentacle is covered with stinging cells, and while they usually catch prey that includes small fish, contact with them can be hazardous, particularly to children.
The jellyfish sting can cause intense pain, shock, and respiratory and cardiac function impairment. Antivenom needs to be given quickly to relieve the symptoms and prevent severe injury or death.