Atlantic Jellyfish

Jellyfish have drifted along on ocean currents for millions of years, even before dinosaurs lived on the Earth. They are abundant in cold and warm ocean water, in deep water, and along coastlines. Jellyfish have tiny stinging cells in their tentacles to stun or paralyze their prey before they eat them.

There are many types of jellyfish in the ocean. These jelly-like creatures pulse along on ocean currents. Inside their bell-shaped body is an opening that is its mouth. They eat and discard waste from this opening. As jellyfish squirt water from their mouths they are propelled forward. Tentacles hang down from the smooth bag-like body and sting their prey. 

Jellyfish stings can be painful to humans and sometimes very dangerous. But jellyfish don't purposely attack humans. Most stings occur when people accidentally touch a jellyfish, but if the sting is from a dangerous species, it can be deadly. The Australian box-like sea wasp is the most toxic to humans. 

The lion's mane jellyfish found in the north Atlantic, has a bell which can reach six feet (two meters) in diameter with tentacles as long as 100 feet (33 meters). The poisonous Portuguese man-of-war is found floating on the surface of tropical ocean water and and its sting is said to be as toxic as a cobra's bite. 

Jellyfish digest their food very quickly. They wouldn't be able to float if they had to carry a large, undigested meal around for a long period. They dine on fish, shrimp, crabs, tiny plants, and will even eat other species of jellyfish. 

Sea turtles relish the taste of jellyfish. Some jellyfish are clear and can look like a plastic bag in the water. Others are in vibrant colors such as pink, yellow, blue, and purple, and often are luminescent.

The Chinese have fished jellyfish for 1,700 years. They are considered a delicacy and are used in Chinese medicine.  

Fast Facts
Jellyfish are classified in the phylum Coelenterata, which means they have a very simple body with a large center mouth where food comes in and waste goes out.

Jellyfish are invertebrates and don't have a backbone.

All jellyfish sting, but the stings of small specimens and those with short tentacles often are not painful to humans.

Even dead jellyfish can sting.

Jellyfish are the favorite meal of many sea turtles.