Going to distant lands to relax and soak up the sea-ocean, be extremely careful - an unknown and very dangerous world is often hidden in the depths of the water. One of its most striking inhabitants can rightfully be considered the jellyfish "lion's mane", which differs from its other counterparts in its gigantic size and amazing beauty. However, its magnificence makes you not only admire, but also freeze in horror. What can turn out for a person to meet with such an inhabitant of the underwater kingdom?
general description
Jellyfish "lion's mane" is considered the largest existing representative of its subspecies. Its colorful name is due to its specific appearance - long tangled tentacles really resemble the mane of the king of animals. Individuals have a very bright color, which directly depends on their size. Large specimens are distinguished by a rich crimson or purple color, and smaller ones are orange or golden in color. The tentacles located in the center of the bell also have a very bright color, and at the edges - pale silver.
Dimensions
What are the sizes of hairy cyanidea, and this is what the main name of the “lion's mane” sounds like? The largest specimen, which happened to be observed by man, was found in the USA at the end of the 19th century (1870). The body of this giant had a diameter of about 2 meters 29 centimeters, and the tentacles extended 37 meters, exceeding the size of even a blue whale. It is believed that the bell can reach 2.5 m, but most often it does not exceed 200 centimeters. An important point: the farther south the jellyfish lives, the smaller the diameter of its body. As for the tentacles, they can stretch as much as 30 meters, but the weight of individual cyanides reaches a fantastic mark of 300 kilograms.
Distribution area
Jellyfish "lion's mane" prefers cold water, it is found near Australia, New Zealand and even the Arctic coast. The giant lives in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, but almost never rises south of 40 degrees north latitude. Recently, there is evidence that individuals in a rather large number appear off the coast of Japan and China.
Lifestyle
Jellyfish "lion's mane" lives mainly at a depth of about 20 meters, it leads a calm and extremely measured lifestyle, moving under the influence of various currents. However, such slowness and passivity should not mislead you, cyanoea can be very dangerous. What do jellyfish eat? The answer to this question should put everything in its place. The Lion's Mane is a real predator and eats small marine animals and fish perfectly, it does not disdain plankton.
Similar to each other, like drops of water, jellyfish are still divided by gender. In the walls of their stomach there are special bags in which the eggs and sperm mature and wait in the wings. Fertilization occurs through the oral opening, the larvae mature in the tentacles of the parent in calm, well-protected conditions. Subsequently, the larvae settle to the bottom and become polyps, from which appendages - jellyfish subsequently separate.
Main danger
The unique appearance and beauty of such a jellyfish, of course, makes one admire it, but do not forget that such individuals can be very dangerous. The main threat is the presence of special stinging cells containing a significant amount of poison. When in contact with a person or a living creature, streak capsules release strands that carry hazardous substances.
The poison of jellyfish is very dangerous for both marine life and humans. In the latter case, of course, it does not threaten death, but serious health troubles will be guaranteed to you. The consequences of communicating with her are manifested in a strong allergic reaction, itching, rash and other external manifestations. Only one case of a person dying from contact with this giant marine representative has been officially documented.
Other dangerous representatives
Of course, there are other interesting representatives of this subspecies. In the nomination "The most dangerous jellyfish" , a sea wasp could well have won . At present, it is found not only off the coast of Australia, but also in the popular resorts of Thailand, where it is increasingly being carried along the passing course.
It is quite difficult to see it in the water, as the jellyfish is almost completely transparent. It has a not so big dome (it resembles a basketball in size ) and tentacles up to three meters long. The larger their size, the more dangerous the individual and the more carefully it is necessary to avoid contact with it. A large amount of poison causes paralysis and death in the shortest possible time, but with little contact there is a great chance that a person can get rid of painful scars and severe allergies, while remaining alive.
The rival of the sea wasp is the Portuguese ship, the jellyfish is very noticeable and not so deadly. It differs in saturated blue color and the desire to swim directly at the surface of the water. Contact with such an instance will lead to the development of allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock.
Unpleasant sensations can give you the original and luminous jellyfish. With a strong sea swell, they begin to glow, representing a spectacle unique in beauty. By the way, from other inhabitants of their species they are distinguished not only by a similar feature, but also by a very specific form of the fungus. What do jellyfish of this species eat? Their diet is very simple, it includes plankton and small fish.