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objective scientific research and conservation of the ocean.
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programs, and inspire an appreciation for conservation of the
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Jellyfish is the common name for many species of what
scientists refer to as cnidarians (pronounced with a silent
‘c’). The root of cnidaria is ‘nettle’ in Greek which refers
to the stinging tentacles of some species. There are two types
of cnidarians: the Hydrozoa and the Scyphozoa. The largest
scyphozoan in the North Pacific is the lion’s mane jelly.
Large specimens can exceed 2 m in diameter with 9 m long
tentacles. It is often abundant in coastal waters in late
summer. The tentacles can give a nasty sting so it is best to
leave this animal alone. Meat tenderizer is supposedly a good
antidote of stings. Stranded jellies look like blobs of
gelatinous mass on the beach but in the water they are
graceful creatures. The lion’s mane jelly is a pelagic species
is found from Mexico to Alaska. It eats plankton caught in the
mesh of trailing tentacles which are drawn up to the mouth
under the bell. Jellyfish are eaten by
sea turtles. The video shows how the animal moves in
water.
