Animals, Big Kids, Little Kids

Jellyfish: Blobs of the Deep

May 22, 2012

2 min read

Jellyfish are cool. As long as you’re not swimming through a heard of them. They’re also one of the coolest things to see at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. (Though one of the hardest to photograph.) The Monterey Bay Aquarium just released this video survey of deep sea jellys.

Medusazoa

Jellyfish in general are named after what they look like. Specifically, The Medusa, a character in Greek mythology. One of the Gorgon sisters, her head was capped in locks of live serpents rather than hair. She was so hideous that to behold her would cause any mortal to turn to stone. While Jellyfish have medusa like tentacles than can stink and paralyze you, they are hardly hideous enough to turn you to stone on looks alone…

Medusae are jellys (Cnidaria) with umbrella shaped bodies. Many jellies have long, snakelike tentacles, many sting and are poisonous. They vary from translucent and clear to dark in color.

For more information on Medusa (the ugly one) I suggest D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths, and Clash of the Titans.

Jellyfish Images

Jellyfish in the Aquarium at the California Science Center, Los Angeles, CA. Photo by kla4067 on Flickr

Amazing fluorescent jellyfish shot in an aquarium of Rhenen's zoo in The Netherlands — Amazing fluorescent jellyfish shot in an aquarium of Rhenen’s zoo in The Netherlands. Photo by Nicolas Hoizey on Flickr

Jelly Fish Seen in the Newport aquarium in Oregon. Photo by szeke on Flickr

Definitely check out your closest aquarium to see the jellyfish. They are incredible. If you are close to Monterey, CA, here are some tips for visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

-Mike