Strange, Simple, And Surprisingly Successful
Jellyfish have lived in Earth’s oceans for hundreds of millions of years, making them older than dinosaurs. These are some truly incredible creatures that are worth learning more about as a result! To prove it, here are five amazing facts about jellyfish that'll have you digging for more.
1. Jellyfish Have No Brain
It's hard to wrap your head around, but jellyfish don’t have a brain, heart, or bones. Instead, they use a basic network of nerves to detect light, movement, and changes in the water. This system helps them respond to their surroundings without complex thought, which is truly incredible.
2. They’re Mostly Made Of Water
A jellyfish’s body is made up of roughly 95 percent water, which explains their squishy, translucent appearance. This is why when jellyfish are removed from the ocean, they quickly lose their shape and delicate nature.
3. Some Jellyfish Can Glow
Thanks to a process called bioluminescence, certain jellyfish can actually produce their own light and glow under water! This can startle predators, attract prey, or work as a communication system. The light can appear in shades of blue, green, and other bright colors.
4. One Species Can Reverse Its Life Cycle
When the immortal jellyfish is injured or stressed, it can do something inhuman: it can return to an earlier stage of its life. This process allows it to begin developing again instead of continuing toward death.
5. Jellyfish Don’t Always Swim
Although jellyfish can move in the water by contracting their bell-shaped bodies, most of the time, ocean currents play a huge role in where they actually travel! Some species spend much of their lives drifting through the water.
