Danger on the Great Barrier Reef
Australia's biggest attraction is the Great Barrier Reef, one of
the wonders of the natural world. The reef covers about 300,000
square kilometres and is home to many amazing animals and plants.
Although you're allowed to swim and drive on the barrier Reef,you have to be careful as some of its residents are not friendly!
Stonefish
The stonefish looks like a stone, just like the reef that it lives on. It also
likes to sit on the sandy seabed. It has spines, They are very sharp and
contain a nasty venom which can be very painful and sometimes lethal.
To avoid the stonefish's nasty sting, you mustn't touch the reef while swimming
and you always wear shoes or sandals when walking in shallow, sandy water.
Irukandji jellyfish
These tiny jellyfish are the size of your thumbnail and impossible to see in the
water. Don't be tricked, though, by their size! They are one of the most poisonous
animals on the planet and a string from one of them causes terrible symptoms that unless treated properly might kill you.
Cone shells
If you collect shells, you'll really appreciate these attractive colourful cone shells but
be careful! They are really snail-like creatures that can give you a toxic and painful sting.
If one of these innocent-looking creatures sting you, you must get to the nearest hospital soon as possible!
Sharks
Many different sharks live on the Great barrier Reef, but few are dangerous humans. Shark
attacks occur rarely. Still, some attacks are fatal so you should always swim, dive or surf
with other people and you mustn't swim at dusk or at dawn, which is shark feeding time.