Part 3: Nightmares of the Deep!
Here in Terrors of Nature we like to bring you a scattering of creatures from all the animal kingdom's wide and varied groups and habitats. In this third, but sadly not final, part, we concentrate solely on some of the most dangerous inhabitants of the World's oceans. But not for us the sharks and jellyfish that we all know about already: no, Terrors of Nature is pleased to bring you the underdogs of dangerous sealife...
Number 9: The Electric Blenny (Blenniddae ampereus)
This morose looking little fish, a native of rock pools around the world, would not deserve a place in these pages were it not for it's one amazing, and deadly, feature. For the electric blenny, as it's name suggests, packs a lethal punch - it can transmit a massive electric shock to anything that touches it. Experiments show that the electric blenny can generate in excess of 40,000 volts, which is deadly to anything foolish enough to cross it's path. In areas where you are likely to encounter this lethal fish it is advisable to wear stiff rubber boots before venturing into or near the water.
Number 10: The Cornish Flesh Stripping Squid (Loligo carnivorae)
Much feared amongst divers, the Cornish Flesh Stripping Squid normally preys on seals and dolphins. This relatively small creature is able to attack creatures larger than it because each of it's many legs is armed with razor sharp blades which it uses to tear the flesh from it's victims body. Having removed the edible parts of the prey, it then discards the skeletal remains and eats the seperated flesh rather than attempting to eat the victim whole. This creature will attack humans if given a chance and it should be given a wide berth.
Number 11: Vietnamese Fang Fish (Fangius fangius)
This Vietnamese Fang Fish's chronic ugliness and protruding luminescent lure make it instantly recognisable, which given how savage it is at least lets it's victims know what is about to attack. Spending most of it's life in the depths of the ocean, the fish periodically visits coastal waters in search of food, preferably large fish or humans. When attacking it uses it's large fang like teeth to skewer a part of the victim and then drags them away and deep down into the ocean depths, where it waits, sometimes for several months, until the victim loses bouyancy and is in no danger of floating back to the surface. Then, and only then, does the fish remove it's fangs and begin feeding on the body. This fish is known to be partial to humans and will come close to beaches in order to hunt. Should be avoided at all costs.
Number 12: The Surgeon Crab (Pagurida scalpellus)
Populating rock coasts in Scotland and Scandinavia, the Surgeon Crab is a type of hermit crab. Like other hermit crabs it lives in the cast-off shells of other sea creatures. Unlike other hermit crabs, however, it has large razor sharp pincers which are capable of slicing through flesh and bone like a hot knife through butter. Although it is too small to attack humans in order to eat them, it is both short-sighted and foul tempered and tends to lash out at anything coming within several metres of it. This type of attack will frequently amputate which ever of the victim's limbs is closest to the crab. Victims usually die from blood loss or, if they stumble upon a colony of Surgeon Crabs or a particularly large or vindictive individual, massive multiple injuries.