Sound the alarm, we're being invaded!
Our little food heaven Penang is reportedly being invaded by two species of the deadly box jellyfish, according to a report by the The Star Online.The species - Morbakka sp. and Chiropsoides buitendijki – were reportedly spotted off the coast of Penang, namely on popular coastlines such as Batu Ferringhi, Tanjung Bungah, Teluk Bahang and Pantai Bersih in Butterworth.
Previously, they did not exist here in Malaysia, the news portal reported.
Sim Yee Kwang, a marine biologist attached with the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (Cemacs) at Universiti Sains Malaysia, told the news portal that the population density of both the species is two in every square kilometre.
They were reportedly spotted up to 400m from the coastline, Sim told The Star Online.
Sim also warned that the current unpredictable weather and sea temperature could cause a further bloom of the deadly jellyfish around the island, so swimmers should really think twice before jumping into the ocean for a swim.
Although not quite as deadly as the Australian Box Jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) -- the venom can kill a healthy adult in three minutes -- these two species pack quite a punch too.
Their venom could cause the Irukandji Syndrome, which includes severe hypertension, intense cramps, breathing difficulty, nausea, vomiting and in severe cases, heart failure.
So, remember to look before you jump, guys.