Jellyfish

Jellyfish are some of the most fascinating and ancient creatures in the ocean, having existed for over 500 million years. These gelatinous animals lack a brain, heart, or bones, yet they are remarkably efficient survivors. Ranging in size from tiny species barely visible to the naked eye to the massive lion’s mane jellyfish, which can have tentacles over 30 meters (98 feet) long, jellyfish are found in every ocean.

They drift with ocean currents, pulsing their bell-shaped bodies to propel themselves. Jellyfish feed on plankton, small fish, and other marine organisms, using their tentacles lined with stinging cells to capture prey. While they are a natural part of the ecosystem, jellyfish blooms have increased in frequency due to climate change and overfishing, which disrupt the balance of marine life.