Float Into Facts!
DRIFTING ALONG
Nearing the end of our fourth year of homeschooling, we were drifting along our last remaining lessons for the year. One of the requested topics from my son came into sight, jellyfish!
What we discovered about these odd creatures was fascinating! While researching to prepare for our week, the facts about jellyfish that I was uncovering left me puzzled and intrigued...
how are jellyfish even considered animals?
If you have an inquisitive jellyfish lover like I do, explore these helpful facts to get your lesson floating, then let me know-
Do you think jellyfish should be considered an animal, or something else altogether?
Get drifting into the complete Jellyfish lesson plan HERE!
THE FACTS ON JELLIES!
THEY'RE HEARTLESS
It's true, jellyfish have no heart! And if that wasn't odd enough, they also do not have a brain, eyes, or bones; yet jellyfish are classified as invertebrate animals.
I'M NOT TALKING SMACK!
I am certainly not talking poorly about these majestic creatures, rather calling a group of jellyfish by their collective noun- Smack. It's fact that when jellyfish travel in groups they are referred to as a "smack" or "smuck" of jellyfish.
WATER ANIMALS
Jellyfish give a whole new meaning to water animal. That is because a jellyfish is made up of 98% water! Unbelievable! Jellyfish bodies are also made up of protein.
POOR SWIMMERS
Being in a habitat consisting of water, you may be led to believe that jellyfish are expert swimmers. On the contrary though, jellyfish are poor swimmers. In fact, they don't truly swim at all. They float and drift. A jellyfish can travel thousands of miles by drifting with the currents and using the water to propel their gelatinous bodies.
IS THAT AN ARM?
IT IS! While it may not be like that of ours, jellyfish have an oral arm. This long appendage, among its tentacles, functions to pull its prey into its mouth.
TRANSPARENT ANIMALS?
Who's heard of a see-through animal? Well, you have now! Most jellyfish are see-through, which makes them able to blend into their surroundings and hide from predators. Their thin skin is also able to absorb oxygen from the water.
GLOWING ANIMALS!
As if see-through wasn't wild enough, some jellyfish species light up! Comb jellyfish are bioluminescent and give off a bright blue-green light at night. They have eight stripes down their side, that include cells, which produce light.
MEAT-EATERS.
Why wouldn't something this bizarre eat meat? Yes, jellyfish are carnivores. Their simple digestive cavity acts both as its stomach and anus, allowing it to eat meats like; small fish, small crustaceans, zooplankton, and even other jellyfish!
TENTACLE TROUBLE.
Certainly no trouble for a jellyfish, but rather anything it bumps into, will experience trouble with those tentacles. Jellyfish tentacles shoot poison that stun or paralyzes its prey. This poison also has the capability of stinging humans as well, and the box jellyfish has venom more dangerous than a cobras, so watch out for tentacle trouble!
Comments