What phylum do jellyfish belong to?
Q: What phylum do jellyfish belong to?
A: Jellyfish belong to the phylum Cnidaria.
Q: How do jellyfish move?
A: Jellyfish move by contracting their bodies, but they have little control over where they go and usually drift with the water current.
Q: What is the largest type of jellyfish?
A: The largest type of jellyfish is the Lion's mane jellyfish, which has tentacles that can be as long as 60 meters.
Q: How are nematocysts used by jellyfish?
A: Nematocysts are pockets in a tentacle that contain a small stinger sealed with a cap. When the tentacle brushes against something it activates a microscopic hair which opens the cap and releases salt water into the pocket, increasing pressure and pushing out venomous tentacles or threads to sting prey.
Q: Are there any dangerous types of jellyfish?
A: Yes, some of the most dangerous types of jellyfish include box jellies (Genuses Chironex, Chiropsalmus and Carybdea) and Irukandji jellies (Carukia barnesi). Their venomous sting can kill a person.
Q: What animals eat jellyfish?
A: Many animals eat jellyfish including sea turtles and some fish (including sun fish). Humans also eat them; especially in Asia they are considered a delicacy.
Q: How are preserved for human consumption?
A: Jellyfish spoil very quickly after being caught so sometimes they are dried to preserve them or cleaned through an extensive process that takes up to 40 days before being eaten in salads with soy sauce or vinegar.
