Lion's mane jellyfish
| Lion's mane jellyfish | |
|---|---|
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Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1) | |
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| Species: | C. capillata |
| Binomial name | |
| Cyanea capillata (Linnaeus, 1758) | |
The lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) is one of the largest jellyfish species in the world.[1] Most live in north Atlantic and north Pacific waters, but some live as far south as the Gulf of Mexico.[2] Their stings are painful, but not fatal.[3]
They are also known as Hair Jelly and Sea Blubber.[4] They usually do not live for more than one year.[5]
A group of jellyfish is called a smack.[6]
Size
[change | change source]The pileus ("bell") of the lion's mane jellyfish can be up to 2.4 meters (8 feet) wide.[3] Hanging off the 'bell' are up to 1,200 tentacles divided into eight sets.[1]
The largest lion's mane jellyfish ever found was 36.5 meters (120 feet) long.[2]
Diet & predators
[change | change source]The lion's mane jellyfish's diet includes plankton, small fish, tiny crustaceans, and smaller jellyfish.[3]
Predators that eat lion's mane jellyfish include sunfish, sea turtles[5] and some seabirds.
Sources
[change | change source]- 1 2 "Lion's Mane Jellyfish". Oceana. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- 1 2 "Lion's mane jellyfish | Giant Jellyfish, Arctic Species & Tentacles | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- 1 2 3 "Lion's Mane Jelly". Monterey Bay Aquarium. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ↑ "Lion's mane jellyfish Facts for Kids". kids.kiddle.co. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- 1 2 "Lion's Mane Jellyfish". Oceana Canada. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ↑ "A Smack Of Jellyfish And Other Strange Animal Groups". Dictionary.com. 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
