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The mysterious journey of this jellyfish: Why do lion's mane jellyfish drift to cold waters?
The Lion's Mane Jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) is one of the largest known jellyfish and mainly lives in the cold Arctic, North Atlantic and North Pacific waters. The distinctive feature of this jellyfish is its ornate and deep tentacles, which make it look like a lion's mane and are really eye-catching. However, why do lion's mane jellyfish drift to cold waters and even appear at lower latitudes during their turbulent travels?
The lion's mane jellyfish's attractive appearance and impressive size make one wonder about its fascinating travel patterns.
Lion's mane jellyfish habitat
The lion's mane jellyfish's main habitat includes the English Channel, the Irish Sea, the North Sea, and the western waters of Northern Europe, and it even drifts to the southwestern Baltic Sea. However, the lower salinity in these waters, especially in the Baltic Sea, means lion's mane jellyfish cannot reproduce. In addition, similar jellyfish have been found near Australia and New Zealand, and may be the same species.
Spectacular appearance and ecological features
The lion's mane jellyfish has a very unique appearance. Its umbrella can reach a diameter of 2 meters (6 feet 7 inches) and its tentacles can be as long as 36.6 meters (120 feet), making it one of the longest animals in the world. This spectacular size gives them a vital place in ecosystems around the world. These jellyfish are usually found alone and rarely in groups, which allows them to make their own way through the ocean.
Lion's mane jellyfish use their tentacles to hunt, including fish, plankton and other small jellyfish. In nature, they have a variety of predators, such as seabirds, large fish (such as surface fish), other jellyfish species, and most sea turtles. Leatherback sea turtles, in particular, feed almost exclusively on lion's mane jellyfish during summer in eastern Canada, demonstrating their important ecological role.
When lion's mane jellyfish are hunting, their tentacles have strong stickiness, making them veritable predators in the ocean.
Lion's Mane Jellyfish Reproduction and Life Cycle
Lion's mane jellyfish reproduces both sexually and asexually. In the mature jellyfish stage, the female will store fertilized eggs in her tentacles and release them onto a hard surface at the appropriate time, from which they will grow into multicellular larvae. The children will then reproduce asexually to form jellyfish. .
The jellyfish's life cycle consists of several stages, including the larval stage, multicellular stage, juvenile stage, and mature jellyfish stage. Each stage is dependent on the environment and food, and this growth method allows them to survive in a stable number as much as possible in a changing environment.
Contact with humans and its effects
Touching a lion's mane jellyfish often causes temporary pain and localized swelling in humans, but in most cases, it is not fatal. If exposed to a large number of tentacles, it is recommended to seek medical attention. This was demonstrated in 2010 in an incident in New Hampshire, USA, when about 150 beachgoers were stung by jellyfish.
The Cultural Place of the Lion's Mane JellyfishThe status and behavior of the lion's mane jellyfish have also attracted the attention of many scientists.
The image of the lion's mane jellyfish appears in many cultural materials. For example, in the short story "The Adventures of Lion's Mane" by the famous British writer Conan Doyle, this jellyfish is portrayed as a focal character, and its mystery deepens people's understanding of it. It's curiosity. In addition, fake photos of oversized lion's mane jellyfish have been circulating on the Internet, further demonstrating its unique influence in culture.
ConclusionThe mysterious journey of the lion's mane jellyfish, whether it's its reliance on ocean circulation or its unique lifestyle, demonstrates the wonder and complexity of the natural world. Their drifting and existence are not only a dependence on the environment, but also bring unexpected impacts to human activities. Will we learn more about the ecology and behavior of these mysterious creatures in the years ahead?
