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5 Marine Creatures with Bad Reputations

5 Marine Creatures with Bad Reputations

Written by Leisure Pro Staff
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Published on December 10, 2014

There are several creatures of the deep that conjure up more mystery and fear than others. When it comes to these animals, their bad reputations are not usually deserved. Let’s take a look at just five marine creatures with bad reputations that may not deserve all the hype that surrounds them.

Sharks

Sharks are likely the first creatures to come to mind when asked to consider the worst reputations of the ocean. From great whites and tigers to makos, Galapagos, and bull sharks, it’s true that many of these large sharks can be dangerous. Of course, humans are far more dangerous to sharks than sharks are to humans. While the chances of being attacked are roughly 1 in 11.5 million, with odds of suffering a fatality exponentially more rare, a conservative average of 100 million sharks are killed by people annually. Whose reputation should be worse?

Jellyfish

These beautiful and sometimes deadly beings belong on any list of marine creatures with bad reputations for one painful reason: that sting! Different jellyfish deliver different stings. Some, like that of some box jellyfish, can be fatal to humans. Others, like the impressive-looking lion’s mane jellyfish, are more of a painful nuisance than a serious threat to health.

Eels

Moray eels are on this list of marine creatures with bad reputations because many people believe they routinely attack divers. In truth, these rather shy animals very rarely attack unprovoked. If provoked, however, moray eels deliver a seriously powerful bite.

Orcas

Killer whales (which are actually in the dolphin family) have been rather unfairly assigned a bad rap due to recent events that have taken place with orcas in captivity. Even as their image can elicit images of well-organized hunts and brutal, cooperative attacks on smaller marine mammals, orcas are simultaneously one of the most beloved animals in the ocean.

Sea Snakes

Highly venomous snakes that can glide through the ocean with speed and agility are the stuff of nightmares for some folks, landing this creature on the list of marine creatures of bad reputations. The banded sea krait is touted as one of the most venomous snakes in the world. Encounters with humans are rare and the snake is extremely docile, but a bite would be fatal without immediate anti-venom treatment.

Leisure Pro Staff

Leisure Pro Staff

Marketing Director for LeisurePro