How do jellyfish sting?

Mystery Science6 minutes read

Jellyfish use stinging tentacles to capture prey and defend themselves, with some species having venom potent enough to be lethal to humans. Cnidarians, including jellyfish and corals, release venomous darts from their tentacles to catch food, showcasing a common stinging mechanism.

Insights

  • Jellyfish use their tentacles, armed with venomous darts, to capture prey and defend themselves due to their lack of traditional protective features, emphasizing their unique predatory and defensive strategies.
  • Cnidarians, such as jellyfish and corals, share a common stinging mechanism involving venomous tentacles to capture food, showcasing the evolutionary adaptation of using toxins for survival across different species within this group.

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Recent questions

  • How do jellyfish protect themselves?

    Jellyfish sting to capture prey and protect themselves due to their soft bodies lacking typical defense mechanisms like shells or teeth.

  • What is the purpose of jellyfish tentacles?

    Jellyfish tentacles contain tiny darts with venom that automatically fire upon contact, stunning prey for consumption.

  • Are all jellyfish harmful to humans?

    Not all jellyfish sting, and while most are harmless to humans, some possess lethal venom.

  • What do cnidarians release from their tentacles?

    Cnidarians release venomous darts from their tentacles to catch food.

  • How do baby jellyfish catch food?

    Baby jellyfish catch food by attaching to the sea floor and using stinging tentacles to catch plankton.

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Summary

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Jellyfish: Soft Bodies, Deadly Stingers

  • Jellyfish sting to capture prey and protect themselves due to their soft, simple bodies lacking typical defense mechanisms like shells or teeth.
  • Jellyfish tentacles contain tiny darts with venom that automatically fire upon contact, stunning prey for consumption.
  • Not all jellyfish sting, and while most are harmless to humans, some, like the sea wasp, possess venom potent enough to be lethal without prompt medical attention.
  • Cnidarians, including jellyfish, corals, and related creatures, release venomous darts from their tentacles to catch food, showcasing a common stinging mechanism.
  • Baby jellyfish resemble corals in their early stages, attaching to the sea floor and utilizing stinging tentacles to catch plankton, highlighting the interconnectedness of cnidarians.
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