"LION's MANE JELLYFISH"
LION's MANE JELLYFISH
Scientific Name:
Cyanea capillata
Appearance:
It has a distinctive appearance with a bell-shaped body that can reach up to 2.5 meters (8 feet) in diameter & has long, flowing tentacles that can extend up to 30 meters (100 feet) in length, resembling a lion's mane.
Location:
Typically found in the colder waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans. They are commonly seen along the coasts of Canada, the northeastern United States, and parts of northern Europe and Asia.
Color:
It can vary, but it is often reddish or brownish, with a translucent bell & the tentacles can also have a reddish hue.
Weight:
Can vary significantly, but they can weigh up to 200 kg (440 lbs) or more, depending on their size and age.
Growth:
They go through a complex life cycle that includes a polyp stage and a medusa stage & can grow rapidly in favorable conditions, reaching their full size in a matter of months.
Life:
Typically around 1 year, although some individuals may live longer under optimal conditions.
Nature:
Generally not aggressive but can deliver a painful sting if touched & are primarily planktonic and drift with ocean currents.
Food:
They are carnivorous and primarily feed on small fish, zooplankton, and other jellyfish. They capture their prey using their tentacles, which are equipped with specialized cells called nematocysts that deliver venom.
Reproduction & Regeneration:
They reproduce sexually, with males releasing sperm into the water, which is then taken in by females. The fertilized eggs develop into larvae that settle on the ocean floor and grow into polyps. These polyps can reproduce asexually, producing new jellyfish & they have a remarkable ability to regenerate, allowing them to recover from injuries.
Largest Recorded Specimen:
Had a bell diameter of about 2.5 meters (8 feet) and tentacles that extended over 30 meters (100 feet). However, there are anecdotal reports of even larger specimens.
