2026-09-18 21:16 UTC
This week's #Monsterdon is Sting of Death, so let's look at some fun Jellyfish facts.🪼
Why do Jellyfish sting? As a defense, perhaps, but certainly to hunt. They have specialized cells containing nematocysts, little, coiled harpoon-like structures that shoot out to sting and even paralyze prey. Nematocysts are 'spent' once used and take a day or so to grow back.
Most jellyfish stings are mild to humans, but a few jellies (particularly around Australia and southeast asia) have venom strong enough to cause cardiac arrest or difficulty breathing. Sometimes a non-lethal sting can contribute to drowning. Precise numbers are hard to find, but sources say there likely between 6-30 fatal jellyfish attacks per year.
A good rule of thumb: avoid touching Jellyfish or other wild animals, if at all possible. Admire from a distance!
Replies (1)
-
@cherizilla@retro.pizza 2026-09-18 22:59
Check out this Jellyfish (Sea Nettle). The long, whispy parts hanging off the edge of the bell are tentacles, which contain stinging cells. And the long frilly part dangling from the center? They're "oral arms." Oral arms also have stinging cells, but they hang from the mouth, transporting food (planktonic animals and tiny crustaceans) from the water column up into the jelly's mouth. Their frilliness increases surface area for filtering food from the water. Some big jellies have looong tentacles. One lion's mane jelly was recorded at 120 feet in length 😱 That's as long as 3-4 school buses put end to end. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia. #Monsterdon