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Jellyfish

Adapted from Wikipedia ยท Explorer experience

A beautiful sea nettle jellyfish floating gracefully in the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

What Are Jellyfish?

Jellyfish are beautiful sea creatures that float through the ocean. They have a soft, umbrella-shaped body called a bell and long, flowing tentacles. You can find them in almost every part of the world's oceans, from the surface to the deep sea. They move by pulsing their bell, which pushes them through the water like a gentle wave.

Fun Facts About Jellyfish

Jellyfish have been swimming in the ocean for more than 500 million years, which means they were around long before dinosaurs! They come in many sizes. Some tiny jellyfish are so small you need a magnifying glass to see them, while others, like the lion's mane jellyfish, have tentacles that can stretch as long as a school bus!

In some countries, such as China, Japan, and Korea, people enjoy eating jellyfish. It is often dried and prepared in tasty ways before a meal. Jellyfish are also special to scientists because a glowing protein from their bodies helps researchers study important things about life.

Why People Love Jellyfish

Jellyfish are popular in many aquariums because they are lovely to watch. Their gentle floating and shimmering colors make them a favorite for visitors. Even though some jellyfish have tiny stingers on their tentacles, most of their stings are not harmful to people. Instead, people mostly admire jellyfish for their beauty and the important role they play in the ocean.

Images

A colorful sea creature called a ctenophore shines with rainbow stripes under light.
A beautiful marine creature known as Haliclystus stejnegeri, showcasing the diversity of ocean life.
A close-up photo of Phyllorhiza punctata, a type of jellyfish, showcasing its unique translucent body and delicate structure.
A Portuguese man-of-war, a fascinating floating jellyfish-like creature found in the ocean.
A beautiful red paper lantern jellyfish glowing softly in the ocean.
A beautiful jellyfish known as Olindias formosa, floating gracefully in the water.
A deep-red jellyfish floating in the deep sea off the coast of Alaska.
A colorful cauliflower jellyfish swimming in the clear waters of the Red Sea, Egypt.
A common salp, Thalia democratica, a fascinating marine organism found in ocean waters.
A close-up photograph of Hydra, a tiny freshwater animal often studied in biology.

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Jellyfish, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.

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