The Lion’s mane jellyfish are variable in size. Their bells are about 15cm-2.5m in diameter. Many can have tentacles longer than 30m. Their tentacles look like a lion’s mane. An adaptation of the lion’s mane jellyfish is their tentacles which allow them to catch their prey. Some of these jellyfish can be dark purple while others can be yellow or a light orange. This jellyfish gives very painful stings that can cause severe burns. This jellyfish is found in the waters of the Arctic, northern Atlantic, and northern Pacific Ocean. They are mostly found near the coast of Britain. The lion’s mane jellyfish lives in colder waters and cannot live in warm waters.

 

 

The Lion’s mane jellyfish is far from being extinct. In the research that I have done on this animal it has said that it was in no danger of being extinct. There is no information on the size of the population of the lion’s mane jellyfish. The Lion’s mane jellyfish only has a life span for around one single year. This jellyfish mostly feeds on small fish, moon jellies, and zooplankton. It catches its food by spreading its tentacles in a circle around its prey. The Lion’s mane jellyfish competes for food with the moon jellyfish. Both of these jellyfish eat mainly the same things. Seabirds, larger fish, and other jellyfish are predators of the Lion’s mane jellyfish.

 

 

What stood out while I was researching on my animal was how large it was. It is known as a giant. I learned that the lion’s mane jellyfish only live in cold waters, and that they only have a one year lifespan.

 

Author: Karsyn G

Published: 02/2008

 

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion's_mane_jellyfish http://www.extremescience.com/GiantJellyfish.htm http://omp.gso.uri.edu/doee/biota/inverts/cnid/lion.htm http://www.answers.com/topic/lion-s-mane-jellyfish Burnie, David, and Don Wilson, eds. Animal. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2005

 

Photo Credit: http://www.elasmodiver.com/BCMarinelife/images/lionsmane-jellyfish.jpg