Top 10 interesting facts about jellyfish

Jellyfish are the oldest living creatures on our planet. They are amazing and unusual, which is why they cause enthusiastic views. They live in every sea, ocean – on the surface of the water or at a depth of many kilometers.

It is better for a person not to meet with some types of jellyfish – for example, the “Australian wasp” can kill up to 60 people with its poison. This is the most poisonous and dangerous animal in the oceans. The jellyfish got its name because of the similarity with the mythological character (or rather with her head) – the Gorgon Medusa. If you open one of the pictures to look at her, notice that instead of hair, she has moving snakes on her head. The similarity was noticed by Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish naturalist (1707-1778.)

You can admire them endlessly … But let’s not only admire their beauty, but also learn about the 10 most interesting facts about jellyfish. So let’s get started?

10 Appeared on the planet about 650 million years ago

Medusa is a long-liver. They have always been, are and will be. These creatures appeared 650 million years ago. Without them, not a single ocean is represented. Some types of jellyfish live in fresh water. About 3000 species are known, but most of them have not yet been studied.

Getting to the jellyfish is not so easy, because some representatives live very deep in the water – deeper than 10 meters. Some compare these centenarians to fish, but they have nothing in common other than their habitat. Most clusters of jellyfish have their own definition – they are called a swarm (which means cluster).

9. They live in all the seas and oceans of the Earth

Incredibly beautiful and diverse creatures live in the seas and oceans, one of which is jellyfish. The underwater world is little studied, so a meeting with various creatures can turn into a disaster for a person.

If you ask someone:What do you think is the most dangerous inhabitant of the underwater world?”, then, for sure, everyone will unanimously answer: “Shark”, however, there are creatures and more dangerous …

Every year, millions of people are exposed to “burns” when interacting with jellyfish. There are no particularly dangerous jellyfish in the Russian seas, but the main thing is to prevent contact with mucous membranes. Jellyfish live in all the oceans of the Earth and in almost all seas., therefore, before traveling, you need to know in advance which species are common in this place.

8. Live in fresh water

It is known that jellyfish can only live in water. If they are thrown ashore, then death will come from drying out under the sun. There is a species that feels great in fresh water – it is called Craspedacusta sowerbyi. Such a jellyfish is quite possible to keep in a home aquarium, but it requires certain food and conditions.

Freshwater jellyfish lives on almost all continents (with the exception of Antarctica) in river backwaters with a leisurely course and in stagnant reservoirs. Also favorably Craspedacusta sowerbyi lives in artificial ponds.

7. Four main classes of jellyfish

In nature, many types of jellyfish are known, and, despite the primitive structure, they are all very diverse. There are four main classes of jellyfish: these are scyphoid, hydroid, box jellyfish and staurozoa. Let’s look at these types in more detail.

Scyphoid: this class includes jellyfish that inhabit the seas and oceans. They live in salt water and move freely among the underwater world (with the exception of a sedentary jellyfish – it is inactive).

Hydroid: this species differs from the rest in its amazing ability – a jellyfish can live forever, since the hydroid is regenerated from an adult organism to a child one. They include more than 2,5 thousand species.

Box jellyfish: this species can be called the most dangerous (it has the name “sea wasp”). If a person meets with her, then a fatal outcome awaits him. During the Second World War, it was this jellyfish that became the scourge of sailors who found themselves in the water. About 80 people die from jellyfish venom every year.

Staurozoa: representatives of stauromedusa are not able to swim and lead a bottom lifestyle. Their shape is rather peculiar, outwardly resembling a kind of funnel. Her movements are slow, and most of the time the jellyfish prefers to sit in one place. Stauromedusa is considered as an unusual organism that combines the features of a polyp and a jellyfish.

6. Used in medicine and food

Jellyfish are a delicacy in Eastern countries. In Japan, Korea, China, these underwater creatures have been eaten since ancient times, calling them “crystal meat”, and these dishes belonged to exquisite and delicacies.

It is also known that jellyfish were part of the diet of the ancient Romans. The meat of jellyfish contains a lot of useful substances, amino acids and trace elements.

In addition, jellyfish are also used in medicine.. Chinese doctors advise eating gray jellyfish (processed, of course) every day for those who suffer from infertility. Moreover, the Chinese women confirm the effectiveness of this method. Interestingly, a remedy is also prepared from jellyfish to help get rid of baldness.

Interesting fact: if in China and South Korea there are no jellyfish dishes on the menu of a fish restaurant, then the institution cannot receive the highest category.

5. Jellyfish are one of the simplest animals in the world.

Jellyfish are amazing creatures. They cause conflicting feelings: delight, admiration and even fear. The oldest animals of our planet belong to the simplest intestinal organisms.. The jellyfish has no brain or sense organs. But they are endowed with a nervous system that helps them detect smells and light. Jellyfish also use it to detect the touch of another organism.

There are only 8 isolated clusters of nerve cells in a jellyfish – they are located along the edge of the jellyfish umbrella. Its nerve clusters are called ganglia.

4. Almost 98% water

This fact may be surprising, but jellyfish are 98% water. When the jellyfish dries up, only a trace remains of it in the sand, there is not even any shell. Among marine animals, not only jellyfish have a jelly-like body, for example, sea anemones, hydras, polyps, corals also do not have a solid skeleton and all live in sea water.

Despite the fact that the jellyfish is 98% water, it causes painful burns.

3. Turitopsis nutricula – an immortal living creature

What is the secret of youth Turritopsis nutricula? This jellyfish is the only creature that can live forever. Reaching maturity, it again turns into a young individual. It is noteworthy that this cycle repeats itself indefinitely… The only thing that can cause Turritopsis nutricula to die is to be killed.

Note that biologists also know “immortal” cells that are capable of dividing countless times under favorable conditions. An example of this is stem cells.

2. The sea wasp is the most dangerous creature on the planet.

The sting of a sea wasp (box jellyfish) can be fatal. This is one of the most dangerous inhabitants of the underwater world.. The sea wasp can be identified by the size of the bell – 2,5 meters. It has a transparent shell, it has a beautiful appearance. It lives in the Pacific region of India, as well as on the coasts of the Australian continent.

With their tentacles, sea wasps kill hundreds of people every year, but the jellyfish does not sting when it does not feel danger.

1. Arctic giant jellyfish – the largest in the world

Arctic jellyfish – considered the largest in the world. It lives in the Northwest Atlantic. Its giant dome can reach 2 meters, and translucent tentacles grow up to 20 meters in length. It has a different color, but light orange is usually found (with age, the color becomes more saturated).

Her body is 95% liquid and shaped like a mushroom. Numerous tentacles of jellyfish can stretch up to 20 meters.

Interesting fact: The arctic giant jellyfish is featured in Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story “The Lion’s Mane”.