One particularly harmful sea creature found in Okinawa's coastal waters is the Habu Kurage (box jellyfish). These are poisonous jellyfish sometimes found in the warm Okinawan waters.
They are 12 cm in diameter and about 1.5m long, tentacles included. They have four legs, each having eight tentacles.
The Habu Kurage often mistake an unsuspecting swimmer for prey as they are attracted to vibrations that swimmers make in the water.
When the water temperature exceeds 20 C (68 F), the jellyfish start to spawn.
These will generally be encountered in water less than two meters deep, with the peak season being July to August. With a bluish tint and nearly transparent, they swim fast, are difficult to see, and enjoy shallow and quiet spots which means that they can be a problem even close to the beach. The sting of their tentacles is extremely painful and will leave welts and a strong itching sensation.
The stinging cells of the Habu Kurage contain poison clusters which burst, releasing strings of stingers into the victim. This can cause permanent scarring, and even death.
The poison can cause breathing to stop and even the heart to stop beating.
To prevent the bursting, one should use cooking vinegar, pouring up to four or five liters for about 30 seconds on the wound.
Go directly to the hospital for treatment, and if the pain is unbearable, put some ice on it.
If you know of any other legends or stories about Okinawa or the surrounding islands please send us what you know and pictures if possible. Thanks.
