On November 3, we celebrate World Jellyfish Day. This day is meant to celebrate a beautiful and unique invertebrate. The jellyfish have been on earth for almost millions of years. This day also encourages us to learn about these unique aquatic animals.
Did you know, a jellyfish isn’t actually a fish? You may think to yourself how is it not a fish? Well, a fish’s anatomy centers around its spine. On the other hand, a jellyfish does not have a spine. Jellyfish are mostly made up of 95 percent of water. They actually don’t have gills, a brain, a heart, bones, or blood. They also have skin, through which they absorb oxygen. They get the name jellyfish because of their made up of this jelly-like substance and from the creature’s physical appearance and behavior in the water.
Even though they’re beautiful and unique-looking, they can possibly sting you extremely badly. These sea creatures can even sting after they have passed. Some jellyfish stings can be very painful and some may be very deadly. If you happen to get stung by a jellyfish, rinse the affected area with vinegar! You also can pluck the tentacles from the skin with tweezers.
Here are some interesting facts about these creatures! These creatures are older than dinosaurs and have been around for over 500 million years! They also are found in all five oceans and there are 200 species of jellyfish and some of them are edible. Even though they also may seem little, they like to eat crabs, fish, and tiny plants, and actually digest their food very quickly.
