We wore protective
footwear while observing coral reefs due to the
presence of stonefish. Stonefish are
indeed one of the most dangerous creatures
in coral reef environments. As its name
implies, stonefish are masters of
disguise, closely resembling rocks or
coral. This excellent camouflage makes
them nearly impossible to spot, increasing
the risk of accidental contact. Stonefish
have 13 sharp dorsal fin spines, each
containing potent venom glands. These
spines can easily penetrate human skin,
even through soft-soled shoes. Moreover,
its venom contains a mix of proteins that
can cause severe pain, swelling, and
potentially life-threatening harms. Even
though shoes provided some protection, I
tried my best to avoiding touching or
stepping on any rock-like objects.
However, on some occasions the current
swept me right onto the coral reef!
Luckily, I didn't encounter any stonefish,
but I came away with multiple cuts from
the sharp coral.