On November 3rd, World Jellyfish Day celebrates this invertebrate that
has been on Earth for millions of years. The day also encourages us to
learn more about these unique aquatic animals.Despite its name, the jellyfish isn’t actually a fish. This is because a
fish’s anatomy centers around its spine. A jellyfish, on the other
hand, doesn’t even have a spine. In fact, jellyfish don’t have gills, a
brain, heart, bones, or blood. Instead, a jellyfish is made up of 95
percent water. They also have skin, through which they absorb oxygen.
The body of the jellyfish is called a bell. A jellyfish swims by
contracting and relaxing the muscles around this bell. Their tentacles
contain stingers, which protect them from prey.
Jellyfish Facts
Some jellyfish can still sting after they are dead.
Jellyfish are older than dinosaurs and have been around for over 500 million years.
Nearly 2,500 jellyfish polyps made their way to space aboard Space Shuttle Columbia in 1991.
Some jellyfish tentacles measure 10 feet long and contain 5,000 stinging cells.
Jellyfish are found in all five oceans.
There are over 200 species of jellyfish and some of them are edible.
A group of jellyfish is called a bloom, swarm, or smack.
Jellyfish eat crabs, fish, and tiny plants and digest their food very quickly.