Giant Jellyfish Spotted Off the Mallorcan Coast
Seeing a jellyfish is alarming if you are swimming on the coasts of the Balearics. We all have stories of stings and what to do about them. Residents and visitors from the North Sea might be familiar with our latest visitor to the islands: The Barrel Jellyfish. The Barrel jellyfish is the largest, with a diameter of up to 90cm and weights of up to 35 kilos. Barrel jellyfish feed entirely on tiny plankton, so their sting is too weak to hurt humans.
Barrel jellyfish are harmless, in spite of their size. These ginormous creatures have drifted through our oceans for over 500 million years, despite lacking a brain, heart or blood. Their soft bodies are over 90% water. They move in a mesmerizing, pulsating motion operated by a simple net of nerves. Though infamous for their stinging tentacles, most species are harmless to humans.
Barrel Jellyfish are harmless, in spite of their size. These ginormous creatures have drifted through our oceans for over 500 million years, despite lacking a brain, heart or blood. Their soft bodies are over 90% water. They move in a mesmerizing, pulsating motion operated by a simple net of nerves. Though jellyfish are infamous for their stinging tentacles, most species are harmless to humans.
If someone spots one from a boat or the shore, jump in and play!
Video by Viktória Széles:
Sources
- Viktória Széles
- Blanka Caks & Marco De Gruya
- livescience.com
- personal experience
Por Ulla Rahn-Huber
22 septiembre, 2021