Lion's mane jellyfish
Cyanea capillata
- Scientific name
- Cyanea capillata
- Group
- Cnidarians (corals, anemones, jellyfish)
- Rarity
- Rare
- Where to see it
- Cold / polar waters
- Conservation status (IUCN)
- Not evaluated
Did you know?
The lion's mane jellyfish is the largest known jellyfish species — its tentacles can stretch over 30 meters, longer than a blue whale. It drifts with the currents in cold waters, using its stinging tentacles to catch fish and small crustaceans.
What defines this group — Cnidarians (corals, anemones, jellyfish)
Corals, anemones and jellyfish: the same simple animal, anchored to the bottom or drifting in open water.
- All armed with cnidocytes, harpoon cells that fire on contact.
- A body arranged in rays around a single opening, serving as both mouth and exit.
- Hard corals host algae in their tissue: it is their departure that causes bleaching.