22 Jellyfish Facts For Kids

1. Jellyfish is the common name for a large group of invertebrate marine animals in the Medusozoa subphylum.
2. The name jellyfish is a misleading, technically jellyfish aren’t fish, because they are invertebrate and do not have a spine.
3. Jellyfish are easy to identify by their gelatinous, umbrella-shaped bell and their long vine like tentacles.
4. According to estimates jellyfish first appeared between 500 and 700 million years ago.
5. Jellyfish are found along the coasts of all seven continents.
6. True jellyfish live only in marine environments (saltwater) and can be found near the surface or deep in the ocean.
7. Jellyfish species are almost entirely carnivorous, with only a few species being omnivorous.
8. The diet of a jellyfish usually consists of crustaceans, fish eggs, larva, planktonic organisms, and small fish.
9. Jellyfish catch their prey using their tentacles or oral arms, which capture and paralyze prey as they float near them.
10. Many jellyfish species can produce their own light using bioluminescent, which is used to attract prey or to ward off predators.
11. There are more than 2,000 different species of jellyfish that have been described by scientists.
12. Jellyfish come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and size, varying greatly between species.
13. Some jellyfish have a wide array of brilliant colors, while others are completely translucent (clear).
14. The smallest jellyfish species is the Irukandji jellyfish which has a diameter of only 0.80 inches.
15. The largest jellyfish species is the lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) with a diameter up to 6.7 feet.
16. The lifespan of a jellyfish depends on the species, which can be as short as a few months or up to three years.
17. There is a jellyfish that is believed to be immortal and can theoretically live forever, the immortal jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii).
18. A jellyfish bloom occurs when many jellyfish congregate in a small area.
19. A sting from a jellyfish can be extremely painful and, in some cases, deadly.
20. Some jellyfish are very dangerous to humans; however, jellyfish do not attack us, we swim into them and get stung.
21. It is estimated that around 100 people die every year from jellyfish stings.
22. The deadliest jellyfish species is the Australian box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) with its extremely potent venom.

Jellyfish Pictures

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the below images will be helpful for your research on jellyfish. Below are six pictures of various jellyfish species. These pictures should help you better understand the different types of jellyfish found around the world.

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