Brainless, boneless and 95 percent liquid—no, this is not just the feeling that you may experience the morning after you ring in the New Year.
Photo courtesy of Aquarium of the Bay
Published: January, 2011
Brainless, boneless and 95 percent liquid—no, this is not just the feeling that you may experience the morning after you ring in the New Year. It is also the basic makeup of the gracefully gliding, just-go-with-the-flow moon jelly, Aurelia aurita.
Named for their translucent coloring and resemblance to Earth’s satellite, moon jellies are found in temperate and tropical waters worldwide, including along the Northern California coast. The species has also traveled far beyond its underwater confines; in 1991, more than 1,000 moon jellies flew aboard the space shuttle Columbia as part of a study on weightlessness and how it effects the development of juvenile jellies.
“Moon jellies are one of the most primordial marine creatures, yet they don’t look like they should be alive,” said Aquarium of the Bay’s Michael Grassman. “Their calming presence and alien-like looks make them visitor favorites.”
Worldwide, there are more than 200 species of jellies. Jellies are made up of 95 percent water and have no heart, brains, bones or other organs. Their bodies pulsate, but their movement is primarily controlled by water currents. The animal’s complex set of nerves responds to stimuli, but it does not process thoughts. Instead of receiving oxygen through lungs, gills or other respiratory systems, moon jellies diffuse oxygen through a thin membrane.
For animals with an appetite for moon jellies, mistaken identity can be a deadly problem. Thousands of turtles and birds die each year from swallowing indigestible wads of jelly-resembling plastic bags floating in our bays and oceans. Adopt a “don’t-pass-it-up, pick-it-up” New Year’s resolution to help keep our waterways and beaches clean as well as preserve aquatic life.
While jellies in the wild typically only live to one year old due to predation by animals including turtles and other jellies, they can survive much longer at aquariums, where they are protected and closely monitored. Aquarists at Aquarium of the Bay have cultured more than 100,000 moon jellies over the past 12 years. This thriving jelly culture has enabled the Aquarium to rely on its in-house collection for exhibits, as well as donate the animals to other nature centers.
Jelly species are also directly affected by climate change, as their populations and range continue to increase as water temperatures rise. These influxes of jellies, referred to as blooms, can negatively impact the food web, as well as clog boat engine motors and fishing nets.
At Aquarium of the Bay, moon jellies as well as Pacific Sea Nettles greet visitors as they enter the main “Under the Bay” exhibit areas. Find your own moment of jelly zen during your next visit, or visit the Aquarium’s YouTube Channel for a work-appropriate video of these gracefully gliding animals.
