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The box jellyfish is considered the most dangerous and deadly animal on our planet.
Some species of box jellyfish produce potent venom delivered by contact with their tentacles. Stings are extremely painful and fatal to humans. The box jellyfish is the only jellyfish that has actual eyes.

The medusa form of a box jellyfish has a squarish, box-like bell, from which its name is derived. From each of the four lower corners of this hangs a short pedalium or stalk which bears one or more long, slender, hollow tentacles. The rim of the bell is folded inwards to form a shelf known as a velarium which restricts the bell's aperture and creates a powerful jet when the bell pulsates. As a result, box jellyfish can move more rapidly than other jellyfish.

Ghostly dancers of the abysses, jellyfish are fascinatingly elegant and eerily scary. While the awareness of their venom tends to instill fear, their slow and hypnotizing movement has a paradoxically soothing effect to the human mind. Using the same curious approach as for this other series, Jan C. Schlegel directed his camera onto these odd creatures to highlight their magnificence. Keeping them closely at home before releasing them into the wild, Schlegel got acquainted with their habits and tuned in to their own pace.

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VERSION FRANÇAISE

Danseuses fantomatiques des abysses, les méduses sont à la fois d’une élégance fascinante et étrangement effrayantes. Alors que la simple prise de conscience de leur venin inspire la peur, leur lent et hypnotique mouvement possède un effet paradoxalement apaisant pour peu que l’on s’y attarde. Posant le même oeil curieux qu’à son habitude, Jan C. Schlegel dirige son objectif sur ces êtres singuliers afin d’en souligner la magnificence. S’en occupant pendant un temps à domicile avant de les relâcher dans leur milieu naturel, Schlegel se familiarisa avec leurs habitudes pour mieux s’accorder à leur propre rythme.