Jellyfish (Cnidaria Scyphozoa Aurelia) - Animals - A-Z Animals - Animal Facts, Information, Pictures, Videos, Resources and Links

There are thought to be around 2,000 different species of jellyfish, the most common being the big, colourful ones found in warmer coastal areas. There are four different types of jellyfish that are categorised by their shape and the way in which they behave.

Despite the name, jellyfish are not actually fish but are instead classed in a group of their own as they are unlike any other animal on Earth. The body of the jellyfish is made up of a non-living jellylike substance called mesoglea. This jelly is surrounded by a layer of skin that is just one cell thick. The body of the jellyfish is mainly made up of water, around 90% in fact.

Jellyfish also have tentacles around their mouths that vary in length depending on the species of jellyfish. The jellyfish use their tentacles to both catch and sting their prey. The tentacles of the jellyfish are covered in a skin that contains special cells, some that sting, some that grip and some that stick. The jellyfish is able to produce these cells at an alarming rate so they are effectively disposable to the jellyfish.

Some jellyfish stings contain poison which the jellyfish uses to stun and kill its prey. The box jellyfish, found in the oceans around Australia, has a sting powerful enough to be fatal to humans. The long tentacles of the jellyfish are what produces the sting. Its been tried and tested...you can touch the top of the jellyfish without being hurt!

The jellyfish is a carnivorous animal and despite it's appearance, the jellyfish is a remarkably efficient predator. Jellyfish use their tentacles to stun their prey before grabbing onto it and bringing it into their mouth. Jellyfish prey on a kinds of aquatic animals such as small fish, eggs and invertebrates along with anything else that gets stuck in their tentacles.

Due to the fact that many species of jellyfish are transparent, they are often hard for predators to spot. However, jellyfish are drifters and move very slowly through the water sometimes using their tentacles to propel them along. Jellyfish are eaten by humans, sharks, squid and occasionally birds.

Jellyfish release their eggs and sperm into the water which eventually meet and the egg is fertilised. The jellyfish egg quickly becomes and embryo and begins to develop in it's water world.

Jellyfish Comments (5)

Jordan

"I'm doing a science report on jelly fish and alot of the main info is on here!! I love it! Also I thought I would never find the scienctific name, but the first site (this one) I clicked on had it! :)"

katrina 6 year old

"i love learning fish are beatiful yet can eat you! but it is still pretty"

sol

"hahah it got me an A+ on my summery thank's :DD"

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Jellyfish Facts

Kingdom:

A level of classifying all living things on earth, as similar species are broken into 5 groups including plants, animals and fungi....

Animalia

Phylum:

A level of classifying animals within the animal kingdom. Phylum are further divided into subgroups called classes....

Cnidaria

Class:

A level of classifying animals in a phylum. Classes are then sub-divided into further groups known as orders....

Scyphozoa

Order:

A level used to classify animals. Classes are broken into sub-groups known as order, which are broken down further into families....

Semaeostomeae

Family:

A level of classifying animals within an order. Orders are broken down in families and families are broken down further into smaller groups called genus....

Cyaneidae

Scientific Name:

Cnidaria Scyphozoa Aurelia

Type:

Cnidaria

Diet:

Carnivore

Size:

12-200cm (5-78.7in)

Weight:

20-400g (0.7-14oz)

Top Speed:

8km/h (5mph)

Life Span:

1-5 years

Lifestyle:

Group

Conservation Status:

The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species remaining extant either in the present day or the near future. Many factors are taken into account when assessing the conservation s...

Least Concern

Colour:

White, Blue, Pink, Yellow, Green, Purple, Red, Orange

Skin Type:

Smooth

Favourite Food:

Fish

Habitat:

The term habitat is used to describe a specific area where a particular animal lives, within an environment. Many animals have adapted to requiring specific conditions which can only be found in their natural habitat su...

Shallow and deep ocean

Average Litter Size:

100

Main Prey:

When an animal is referred to prey, it means that the animal is either hunted or caught for food. Animals that are referred to as prey are generally hunted by bigger animals, although there are a number of exceptions....

Fish, Eggs, Invertebrates

Predators:

When an animal is referred to as a predator, it means that the animal either hunts or catches other animals. Predatory animals are generally dominant within their environment and will generally hunt animals smaller than...

Humans, Sea Birds, Sharks

Special Features:

Jelly-like body and long, stinging tentacles

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