Content
- Characteristics
- Habitat of the largest jellyfish in the world
- behavior and reproduction
- Curiosities of the biggest jellyfish in the world
Did you know that the longest animal in the world is a jellyfish? It's called Cyanea capillata but it is known as lion's mane jellyfish and it is longer than the blue whale.
The largest known specimen was found in 1870 off the coast of Massachusetts. Its bell measured 2.3 meters in diameter and its tentacles reached 36.5 meters in length.
In this Animal Expert article about the biggest jellyfish in the world we show you all the details about this gigantic inhabitant of our seas.
Characteristics
Its common name, lion's mane jellyfish comes from its physical appearance and resemblance to a lion's mane. Inside this jellyfish, we can find other animals such as shrimp and small fish that are immune to its venom and find in it a good source of food and protection against other predators.
The lion's mane jellyfish has eight clusters where its tentacles are grouped. It is calculated that its tentacles can reach up to 60 meters in length and these have a color pattern ranging from crimson or purple to yellow.
This jellyfish feeds on zooplankton, small fish and even other jellyfish species that get trapped between its tentacles, to which it injects its paralyzing venom through its stinging cells. This paralyzing effect makes it easier to ingest your prey.
Habitat of the largest jellyfish in the world
The lion's mane jellyfish lives mainly in the icy and deep waters of the Antarctic Ocean, extending also to the North Atlantic and North Sea.
There are few sightings that have been made of this jellyfish, this because it inhabits the area known as the abyssal that is between 2000 and 6000 meters of depth and its approach to coastal areas is very infrequent.
behavior and reproduction
Like the rest of the jellyfish, their ability to move directly depends on ocean currents, limited to vertical displacement and to a much lesser extent horizontal. Due to these limitations of movement it is impossible to carry out chases, their tentacles being the only weapon to feed themselves.
In most cases, lion's mane jellyfish stings are not fatal in people although they can suffer severe pains and rashes. In very extreme cases, if a person gets caught in their tentacles, it can be deadly due to the large amount of poison absorbed by the skin.
The lion's mane jellyfish breeds in summer and autumn. Despite mating, it is known that they are asexual, being able to produce both eggs and sperm without the need for a partner. The mortality rate of this species is very high in the first days of life of individuals.
Curiosities of the biggest jellyfish in the world
- In The Deep aquarium in Hull, England is the only specimen kept in captivity. It was donated to the aquarium by a fisherman who captured it off the east coast of Yorkshire. The jellyfish measures 36 cm in diameter and is also the largest jellyfish kept in captivity.
- In July 2010, some 150 people were bitten by the lion's mane jellyfish in Rye, United States. The bites were caused by debris of the jellyfish that were washed ashore by currents.
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was inspired by this jellyfish to write the tale of The Lion's Mane in his book The Sherlock Holmes Archives.
