Jellyfish: Bees of the Seas

As summer season approaches and people flock to the beach, it becomes increasingly important to educate ourselves about the dangers that lurk in our salty waters. Many people fear sharks for their massive size or things that lie in dark depths we cannot see but often it’s the small overlooked creatures that interrupt our ocean trips. Sharks are large but often not very close to the shores. Animals that live in dark waters are often too deep for us to reach without diving. Fish and crabs are often close to the shores but are mostly harmless. One of the main dangers we should actually watch out for is the overlooked, invisible jellyfish of the seas.

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Jellyfish, despite their name, are not actually fish at all. Fish are vertebrate animals while jellyfish are actually invertebrate. Jellyfish have no skeletal structure at all. In fact, jellyfish have no skeleton, no heart, no lungs, and no brain. They are completely devoid of internal organs which is why they appear transparent. In fact, jellyfish are 95% water. In comparison, humans are 60% water. They absorb oxygen through their membrane to function. The outer layer of their epidermis contains a nerve net that responds to changes in their environment. If you cut a jellyfish in half they are capable of regrowing and becoming two new jellyfish!

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In appearance, most jellyfish have a bulb or bell-like body with long tentacles attached. Jellyfish tentacles consist of barbs that contain poison which they use to sting their enemies paralyzing them so the jellyfish can consume their prey. The diet of jellyfish consists of small plants, shrimps, small fish, and plankton. The motion of jellyfish is produced when they spit water from their mouth meaning they don’t actually have a lot of control of their motion or direction. Because of this, they are mostly controlled by the current, which is why they often end up so close or on beaches.

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There are over 200 species of jellyfish in the world. A group of jellyfish is called a bloom, a swarm, or a smack. Jellyfish can be found in every major ocean across the globe. The jellyfish believed to be the most dangerous is the box jellyfish or sea wasp. Box jellyfish are actually considered the most dangerous marine animal in the ocean. These jellyfish can range in size from small as a thumb to as big as a basketball. Box jellies have over 50 subspecies and at least 8 of them are lethal. They have been known to cause death in as little as a few minutes after a sting. Most commonly found in tropics off the coast of Australia, Thailand, the Philippines, Saipan, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Florida. Recently a variety has even been spotted off the coast of New Jersey.

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Lion mane jellyfish aren’t usually lethal but are incredibly large and found all over the world. Most recently spotted in South Carolina, these jellyfish are orange and red with a very painful sting and in some cases severe allergic reactions. They can grow as big as six feet across and their tentacles can grow as long as a blue whale! In the case of Lion’s Mane jellyfish, one of the main problems is that they can sting even after death causing problems for beachgoers when they wash up on the beach.

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Contrasting the huge Lion’s Mane unfatal jellies, the Irukandji jellyfish is about the size of a fingernail but packs a deadly punch. The transparent tiny terrors were thought to only be located in Australia. But they have recently been spotted in Florida, Japan, Thailand, and the British Isles. Its sting causes severe pain and burning sensations but most dangerously it brings on Irukandji syndrome. Irukandji syndrome is a severe psychological symptom of the jelly sting in which victims feel an intense and overwhelming sense of doom which has even caused some to beg for death. Regardless of its severe symptoms most victims of the Irukandji’s sting survive as long as they are treated quickly. In any case, small or big regardless of which jellyfish you think you have encountered get to a doctor right away to be treated properly. 

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While all jellyfish tentacles contain some form of venom useful for the jellyfish’s survival, most of these venoms are not fatal. Most jellyfish species’ stings will cause pain and possible rashes and should be treated immediately by a doctor but jellyfish will not go out of their way to attack. Only if you come in close contact or more commonly accidentally step on a jellyfish will you be subject to a sting. If you are ever stung by a jellyfish do not believe urban legends. Urinating on the affected area will not help. Instead, apply generous amounts of vinegar and get to a doctor. The main fear of almost all jellyfish stings is drowning or an allergic reaction to the venom. In other words, jellyfish stings probably won’t kill you but it will probably just hurt a lot!

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Besides the biology of jellyfish, these bees of the sea are full of fascinating facts. It is believed that jellyfish are as old or even older than dinosaurs. Scientists believe they are the oldest multicellular animal on the planet. They are even astronaut jellies!  Over 60,000 jellyfish have gone into space to see the effect interstellar travel would have on them. Studies found jellyfish could survive and even reproduce in space but when brought back down to earth they could not readjust to dealing with earth’s gravity. The Turrittopsis Dohrnii jellyfish is even thought to be immortal. When it dies it goes down to the seafloor where it becomes a polyp which produces an identical jellyfish! The biggest predator to jellies is sea turtles who find jellyfish to be a delicious treat. In China, jellyfish are both used in medicine and considered a delicacy.

Jellyfish are all unique and beautiful in their own way. The clear creatures of the current are an animal known all over the world so whenever traveling to a seaside location know the species local to that area. Probably not a site you want to see on your relaxing beach day but the more you know, the better equipped you are to share the ocean with these fascinating creatures.

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