More Than Meets The Eye
It's easy to dismiss jellyfish as dangerous yet boring blobs in the ocean, but these amazing animals are some of the most interesting on the planet. There's nothing quite like jellyfish, and to prove it, we have five jaw-dropping facts that'll make you see how incredible they are in an instant.
1. No Brains, Hearts, Or Lungs
You're probably wondering how jellyfish are even alive if they have no brain, heart, or lungs. It's truly one of life's mysteries, don't you think? As a result, they are somehow both the most simple of organisms yet the most complex at the same time. Their bodies are essentially made up of a nerve net that functions as their brain.
2. Some Species Only Live For Hours
Depending on the species, a jellyfish's lifespan can vary, but the most shocking of all are certain ones that only live for a couple of hours. It's been said that hydromedusa jellyfish have the potential to live for just a few hours. Compared to the immortal jellyfish, the difference in range is hard to wrap your head around.
3. Made Mostly Of Water
When you see jellyfish in the water, they always look like they're one with their environment. Turns out, it's because they actually are! Jellyfish are made up almost entirely of water - supposedly 95%! No wonder they're able to blend in so well.
4. They're Not Just Small And Thin
The jellyfish that wash up on shore at the beach aren't representative of all that exist in the ocean. In fact, here's a shocking piece of information: the largest jellyfish, the lion's mane, can grow up to a massive 36.5 meters long. They look like aliens from another planet!
5. They're Ancient Animals
What if we told you jellyfish existed even before the dinosaurs did? Believed to have been around for over 500 million years, jellyfish are essentially ancient creatures that are viewed as the planet's oldest multi-organ animal. They've truly seen it all.
