The Jellyfish Invasion: What You Need to Know

Have you ever come across a swarm of jellyfish at the beach? The encounter is undoubtedly unpleasant... but who are these strange creatures, the jellyfish? We've gathered some facts about jellyfish you might not have known.

First of all, in general: jellyfish are marine animals also known as "jellyfish" – they have no bones and are wrapped only in skin. The jellyfish resembles a kind of dome, with tentacles extending outward that look like legs, and 90% of their body is made up of water. As a result, despite the lack of bones, a jellyfish can weigh more than 440 pounds (200 kg). Jellyfish can't swim on their own but are rather moved by ocean currents.

The jellyfish is a predatory animal, using its tentacles – which are equipped with stinging, poisonous cells – to capture small marine animals, such as plankton and tiny fish.

Typically, jellyfish are not dangerous to humans, though their sting can be very painful, so it's advisable to keep your distance from them.

In Palau, a lake filled with jellyfish contains millions of them! These jellyfish are not toxic and do not sting, making it safe to swim among them. In this lake, jellyfish are even considered companions for divers.

On the shores of western Japan, giant jellyfish appear annually. These can reach the size of a car and weigh hundreds of kilograms. Approximately half a billion jellyfish of this type arrive on Japan's shores each year, though the cause of their appearance is unknown. In Japan, the jellyfish are used to produce medicines and health products.

If we asked you what the longest sea creature is, you might guess a sea snake or something similar. It's doubtful you would think of a jellyfish – but that's the correct answer. The "Lion's Mane" jellyfish can reach a length of 36 meters (about 118 feet) – longer than the blue whale, the largest of marine mammals.