For all it's nasty creatures, many people are drawn to Australia due to one of its more beautiful of locations, the Great Barrier Reef.
But even that has it's dangers.
I'd like to introduce you to the most venomous fish known to the world:
Not very visible, is it?
It's also not very nice. It possesses thirteen little death points on its back, with two venom sacks attached to each. Why two? Because that way it can hurt you more.
Like nearly all of Australia's wildlife, it uses neurotoxins to inflict more pain than you can imagine. Victims of this bastard, who survive long enough to get to a hospital, are often reported to be screaming to have the stung limb amputated to stop the pain, despite the limb's health.
There are no real pictures of the result of a stonefish's sting, as there are two states. Fully healed, or dead.
This fish isn't aggressive. It just sits there and laughs at you when you mistake it for a stone and step on it. Then snickers while you writhe in agony, knowing full well you could easily die. Why so easily, you may ask. After all, the venom takes several hours to kill, you say. Well, if you step on this bastard with any degree of force its spines are likely to go deep into your foot.
After which will follow shock, paralysis and tissue death.
Paralysis.
Underwater. This bastard doesn't even try to kill you; it stings you and laughs as you drown, unable to move.
They have no need for this ability either. They don't use their venom to hunt, and fish aren't renowned for their stepping abilities. This fish seems designed to punish exploratory humans and them only. It's the reef's way of saying "Get out! We don't want your kind here!"
So remember: When exploring the reef, wear foot protection.
