Lion’s Mane Jellyfish (Cyanea capillata)

Lion’s Mane Jellyfish is one of the largest know species of jellyfish. The largest recorded specimen was measured off the coast of Massachusetts in 1870 and had a bell with a diameter of 210 cm (7 feet) and tentacles around 36.6 m (120 ft) long. The common name lion’s mane jellyfish came from their hair-like tentacles hanging from the underside of their bells. The mouth is situated on the bell’s underside, surrounded by tentacles that are divided into eight clusters of up to 150 tentacles each, making them up to 1,200 tentacles. The top of the bell is usually dark yellow or red in color and thick in the center, but thins out towards the edges. They can be found in the cold area such as the Arctic and northern pacific oceans. They have a big appetite, and their feeding could suppress the population of other jellyfish in these area.