Facts about Jellyfish

Top Facts about Jellyfish

• There is no denying that the Jellyfish is a very intriguing creature. Most of us don’t know very much about them though. As you learn more about them though you will appreciate their lifestyle and what they contribute to the world. These Jellyfish facts will help to set the record straight.

• The largest Jellyfish recorded and verified was around 120 feet long.

• Fossil remains of the Jellyfish show that they have been on Earth for more than 700 million years. This makes them one of the oldest living creatures in the world.

• Many consider the Jellyfish to be one of the most intimidating forms of aquatic life.

• All Jellyfish live in the oceans around the world.

• Some Jellyfish live close to the surface and others at the bottom of the water. They are also at various depths of water in between.

• Jellyfish can live in all temperatures of water in the ocean.

• There are over 2,000 different species of Jellyfish that have been identified by experts. They feel there are still many species though that they haven’t found yet in the depths of the oceans.

• Jellyfish are simple invertebrates. However, they have the ability to move in ways that other invertebrates lack.

• The body of a Jellyfish is symmetrical. This allows them to detect danger and to find food that could be in any direction from their particular location.

• A Jellyfish doesn’t have a brain. It relies on nerve receptors to help it survive.

• The name of the Jellyfish stems from them having a middle layer of skin called the Mesoglea. It is a jelly like substance.

• The Jellyfish has either four or eight long arms depending on the species. Those arms allow it to get food and place it into the mouth.

• Only about 5% of the body of a Jellyfish is comprised of solid materials.

• The Jellyfish can move vertically under its own power. However, horizontal movement is controlled by the wind and the current in the water.

• The Jellyfish uses the tentacles to sting. They can be very long so a person or other living creature doesn’t have to be in close contact to get stung.

• Jellyfish can release both eggs and sperm on their own instead of males only offering sperm and females only offering eggs.

• The average lifespan for a Jellyfish depends on the species. Some of them live just from a couple of hours to 6 months and one species can live eternally.

• A Jellyfish sting is very painful and it may result in the area swelling and burning. The sting from some Jellyfish can be fatal to humans sometimes due to the species. Some of the ways to cure the burning are to apply vinegar. In a worse case scenario it is possible to apply urine to the area to reduce pain.

• In areas of China and Asia certain types of Jellyfish species are grown and harvested for humans to eat. They are considered to be a delicacy and consumers will pay a premium price for them. The cost can be high due to the demand for them because production can’t always keep up.

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• The Irukandji is one of the most toxic type of Jellyfish in the world. The sting from one can cause nausea, vomiting, cramps, severe pain, and even changes in blood pressure. The overall health of the person can determine if it will be painful or not.

• It is possible to keep Jellyfish at home as pets in some locations. They do require special care and feeding though. Many people enjoy this as it is an exotic type of pet that is very different from what everyone else owns.