18th February, 2024
CHIRANJIT MITRA
This massive specimen was a lion's mane jellyfish, the largest known jellyfish species. Here's how big it was: ● Bell Diameter: Averaged 2.3 meters (7.5 feet)! ● Tentacles: Stretched an astonishing 36.5 meters (120 feet)! ● Deep Sea Wonder
Lion's mane jellyfish roam cold, northern Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans waters. It's rare to spot one of this record-breaking size, as larger specimens usually live far out at sea.
Despite their imposing appearance, lion's mane jellyfish are not aggressive hunters of humans. Their long tentacles primarily capture smaller creatures like plankton and small fish. However, their sting can cause a painful reaction!
● A group of jellyfish is called a "smack"! ● Some jellyfish are bioluminescent – they can glow! ● The oldest jellyfish fossils date back over 500 million years.
Much about jellyfish life remains unknown, especially when it comes to deep-sea giants like the record-breaking lion's mane. Each encounter, like the one in 1870, helps scientists further unravel the amazing mysteries of the ocean's depths.