News / Animals
Jelly babies arrive at Bristol Aquarium
Bristol Aquarium is currently awash with dozens of moon jellyfish, famed for their stinging tentacles, thanks to a captive breeding programme.
Bristol Aquarium’s David Waines said: “Jellyfish are truly fascinating creatures; extremely effective predators and capable of travelling great distances, despite the fact they have no brains, no bones and are made up of 95 per cent water!”
Moon jellyfish, collectively known as a ‘smack’, get their name from the four ‘half moons’ on top of their transparent ‘bell’. This bell can reach up to 40cms across and has stinging tentacles and four frilly mouth tentacles hanging below. Although deadly to their prey, the moon jellies’ tentacles are only slightly venomous to humans, usually causing mild pain and a burning sensation. Some fish fry, including haddock and horse mackerel, have developed immunity to the stinging cells and shelter among the tentacles, safe from predators.
“The vast majority of jellyfish species aren’t harmful to humans and those that are don’t do it on purpose; they use their stinging tentacles to catch prey,” explained David.
“As well as being incredible creatures in their own right, jellyfish also play a key role in the ecology of the critically-endangered leatherback sea turtle.
“The more we can find out about them the better we will be able to help protect the turtles,” he added.
is needed now More than ever
Visitors can see the jellyfish in specially-constructed displays which mimic life in the open ocean and even have their own internal currents.
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