
/Lions-mane-Jelly-JamesRDScott-Getty-56a5f75c3df78cf7728abe94.jpg)
There have been sightings of these giant jellyfish in large bays along the east coast below 42°N. But these do not get as large as those that live out in the middle of the ocean. Outlying populations are sometimes spotted in the Chesapeake Bay during the winter. Occasionally, they migrate into southwestern areas of the Baltic Sea. The largest concentrations of lion’s mane jellyfish are in the colder parts of the Arctic, northern parts of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. They prefer to float near the surface in open waters throughout their adult lives, but they end their days settled in shallow bays. They do best in waters colder than 68☏ since they don’t do well when it’s warm. This jellyfish species prefers colder waters in regions where there are harsh, frigid winters and cool summers. Habitat Where Does the Lion’s Mane Jellyfish live? The process typically takes 30 to 40 days. At this point, they are full-grown and ready to reproduce sexually. Then each of these ephyrae breaks away from the group and enters the final life stage – medusa. During the polyps stage, lion mane jellyfish (along with many other species) reproduce asexually.Įach polyp produces stacks of ephyrae during this phase. Once the larvae are old enough, the mother leaves them behind on a hard surface to become polyps. This jellyfish species usually breeds in March and then in early May through external fertilization.Īfter the eggs get fertilized, the female lion mane will transport these in her tentacles until the eggs form into larvae. When an adult female reaches the medusa stage, she’s ready for sexual reproduction. This jellyfish species has a very short life span of one year. Then they transform into a polyp, and then they go into the ephyrae stage, and finally the medusa. Lion’s mane jellyfish go through four life stages. Once they grow over 18″ they end up a dark brownish-red. Those between 5″ and 18″ are more of a red or yellowish-brown. Smaller jellyfish with a bell size less than 5″ are usually yellow or pink. Similar poisonous nematocysts protect the upper portion of the bell. Tentacles are typically yellow or red with purple oral arms. The top of the bell is usually red or dark yellow with a thick center that thins as it gets closer to the edge. These same nematocysts cover the oral arms. Now, each tentacle – or appendage – has nematocysts that contain potent neurotoxins that can be harmful to humans. There are also wide oral arms that extend out of the mouth. That means one lion’s mane jellyfish can have up to 1,200 individual tentacles that can grow up to lengths over 100 feet.Įach lobe also contains a rhopalium or balance organ. Eight clusters, arranged in four rows, surround the jellyfish’s mouth, which is on the bell’s bottom.Įach cluster, or lobe, contains up to 150 tentacles a piece. Lion’s mane jellyfish have a bell-shaped body with flowing tentacles dangling from the underside. The bell can vary from smaller than an inch up to almost ten feet. The warmer the climate, the smaller they grow. The length of a lion’s mane jellyfish’s tentacles can vary between 30 to 120 feet. Species living in lower latitudes are a smaller size than those in the north.īecause lion’s mane jellyfish is one of the largest in the world, it makes sense that these creatures, although made up of 95% water, can weigh up to 200 pounds. Lion’s mane jellyfish range in size, depending on their location. Fun Facts About the Lion’s Mane JellyfishĬharacteristics & Appearance Weight & Length.What Does the Lion’s Mane Jellyfish eat?.Where Does the Lion’s Mane Jellyfish live?.
