Florida is the Shark Bite Capital of the World, sharks aren’t the only dangerous animals lurking off the coast. Every year, 19 million tourists come to the Sunshine State to dip their toes in the warm waters. Want to see what’s waiting beneath the surface?
Bull Sharks
Florida averages about 22 shark bites per year, half of which occur in Volusia County. New Smyrna Beach is one of the best shark bite spots in the US. Most of these attacks are attributed to Bull Sharks. Bull Sharks are aggressive, solitary predators that hunt in coastal waters and estuaries where people like to play.
Lionfish
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “Lionfish, native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean, were first discovered along the coast of Florida in the mid-1980s. Their population has grown dramatically over the past 15 years.” Not only are they invasive species that destroy natural habitats, they also pose a threat to humans. Divers Alert Network (DAN) reports. “Lionfish puncture wounds can cause pain lasting several hours, rapid swelling (swelling) and subcutaneous bleeding. Swelling usually resolves within two to three days, while tissue discoloration can last up to five days.”
Stargazer
Ichthyologist Dr. William Leo Smith called the stargazer “the meanest thing in creation.” They are ambush predators that are almost perfectly camouflaged. When they hit, they can deliver both poison and electric shocks. Talk about a double whammy.
Fire coral
Fire corals got their name because of the fiery sensation that occurs after coming into contact with them. They are colonial marine cnidarians that can cause burning skin reactions. DAN says that “Incidents involving coral fires are common among divers, especially those with poor buoyancy management.” These beautiful but dangerous creatures live in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, including Florida.
Bearded fireworks
Bearded caterpillar’s beautiful markings warn predators to stay away. Divers should heed this advice as they cause a painful and burning sting that can last for several hours. In extreme cases, they can cause nausea and dizziness, which can be fatal underwater.
Alligators
Alligators are usually found in fresh water, but they can tolerate salt water for several hours. These 65-million-year-old predators outlived the dinosaurs and are still part of life in Florida. Be especially careful of alligators if you are in brackish areas where fresh water meets salt water.
Crocodiles
Crocodiles are only found in South Florida, and they live in saltwater like their alligator cousins. There are only about 2,000 in the state, too, so you won’t see them often. But when you do, look out. They are almost twice the size of an alligator and are significantly more aggressive. Crocodiles have the 2nd strongest bite force of any animal in the world and attack humans 100 times more than sharks worldwide.
Goliath Groupers
Goliath Groupers, as their name implies, grow to enormous sizes. They can grow up to 8 feet and weigh over 800 pounds. They are usually docile, but can bite or snap their tail at people if provoked. Florida is known for spawning aggregations of up to 100-150 Goliath groupers occurring at certain times and locations.
Portuguese Man O’ War
The Portuguese Man O’ War are beautiful, but they are also deadly. It floats on the surface with long tentacles that deliver a painful sting strong enough to kill fish and sometimes humans. What makes them so dangerous is that they are hard to spot because they mix with water and can sting repeatedly without dying.
Medusa
About 150 million people worldwide are stung by jellyfish each year. The Florida Department of Health warns that most jellyfish stings are minor; “Contact with the tentacles (even those that have broken off) can cause red, raised, scaly bumps that can last 1-2 weeks and cause severe pain, itching, itchiness and even. nausea and headache. Do not touch the jellyfish that have washed up on the beach. even dead jellies can sting.”
Sea urchin
Sea urchins have poisonous spines that are very difficult to remove and may require antibiotics. Bites can be very painful and cause numbness and swelling that extends away from the wound. Florida’s venomous species include the long-spined and black sea horn.
Scorpion fish
Scorpionfish are masters of camouflage. Their mottled red and brown skin blends in perfectly with the corals and rocks in which they hide. You may never see them until they bite you, and their thick spines contain more toxins than lionfish. Worse yet, their spines are so sharp that they cut through wetsuit material like butter.
Bites
Stingrays like to be half-buried in the warm water off Florida beaches. They are not aggressive, but if stepped on, will strike with their barbed tail, causing a jagged and painful wound. The tail is covered with sharp stingers that contain poisonous glands. In extreme cases, a bite can cause serious injury or death with symptoms including sweating, difficulty breathing, vomiting and chest pain.
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