Lion’s Mane Jellyfish – largest known species of jelly fish with distinctive red coloring and long, trailing tentacles (like a lion’s mane).
Tentacles – a flexible, long, organ that flows from the each of the eight lobes on the bell of the jelly fish (70-150 tentacles from each lobe) and around the mouth (about 1,200 tentacles).
Nematocysts (Cnidocyte) – explosive stinging cells on the jellyfish tentacles with a barbed tube and poisonous substance used to capture, draw in and digest prey.
Fun Facts
The Lion’s Mane Jellyfish lives only 1 year, and its population spikes in August (and January) when they are grown in size and currents sweep them closer to shore.
The Lion’s Mane Jellyfish has massive tentacles – the longest measured is 120 feet – making it one of the longest animals in the world.
If stung, you can rub on sand to remove the barbs and white vinegar to take away the sting.
Leatherback Sea Turtles feed almost exclusively on the Lion’s Mane Jellyfish.
