The lion's mane jellyfish looks like nothing more than a tangled mass of hair, but it is an extremely deadly predator. The hundreds of tentacles that resemble a lion's mane also hold thousands of doses of venom. This jellyfish can grow to huge sizes with tentacles that are longer than a whale.
Clear Waters: Up to 1,000 tentacles drape down from this jellyfish's body. Most of the tentacles are clear and can't be seen in the water, which makes the jellyfish even more dangerous.
Beyond Ouch: The lion's mane has so many stinging cells on its tentacles that the total is astronomical-and each one injects a paralyzing toxin into victims. One touch slows the prey down, then the jellyfish completely entangles its victim.
Slow Stalker[]
The lion's mane jellyfish's bell changes shape as the creature swims.
The lion's mane jellyfish often rides along with the current, but it can move on its own to chase down prey. Dozens of little muscles allow the creature to create rippling motions with its bell, which can help it move in almost any direction. The lion's mane swims slowly, but many fish don't swim away from it because they can't see its deadly tentacles.
Growing Up Cool: The lion's mane normally measures one and a half feet across the bell with 6-foot long tentacles. Jellyfish that live in cold Arctic waters can grow to 6.5 feet across with 115-foot long tentacles.
Cannibals: One of this creature's favorite meals is other jellyfish. Lion's manes will even prey on jellyfish several times their own size. Such a meal can take up to four hours to eat.
Dead But Still Deadly[]
A dead lion's mane jellyfish can be just as dangerous as a living one-its stinging cells stay active for several days after the creature dies. Dead jellyfish often wash up on shore where beachgoers can step on them in the shallow water. A person's foot can become painfully tangled in the animal's flowing tentacles.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The lion's mane jellyfish is featured in Tricky Treat on Monster Mania 93.