Though we might not think much of the small pond Hydra, it’s got an incredible secret superpower. It spends much of its day extending its small tentacles… Read more “This animal can be torn apart, and will come back together again”
Author: RRHelm
Mystery of the golden jelly
Just where or where did this beautiful jelly come from? Imagine you’re a fishermen in Chioggia in north-east Italy. It’s autumn, 2013, and you start your… Read more “Mystery of the golden jelly”
A giant purple jellyfish washed ashore in Australia, and it’s one of my favorite jellies
Though pretty dead, hold on to your hats for the live ones… This purple jelly recently washed ashore in Queensland, Australia. What is it? A Thysanostoma jelly, and these… Read more “A giant purple jellyfish washed ashore in Australia, and it’s one of my favorite jellies”
Stung by a box jelly? Oil and lemon may help
There are many anecdotal remedies for jellyfish stings, from urine to meat tenderizer, but this one may be the tastiest. A case report published in the journal Tropical Doctor tells… Read more “Stung by a box jelly? Oil and lemon may help”
I’ve been waiting 16 years to know: what is the ocean dandelion?
I was 12 when I first saw an “ocean dandelion,” and I wish I’d known then how strange these animals truly are. I was watching a documentary:… Read more “I’ve been waiting 16 years to know: what is the ocean dandelion?”
Beautiful jelly sculpture on display at the National Aquarium
I’m totally in love with this beautiful instillation, now on display at the National Aquarium as part of their new exhibit on jellies. I hope I get… Read more “Beautiful jelly sculpture on display at the National Aquarium”
Scientists use electricity, drugs, to uncover the secret world of jellyfish
Jellyfish, most of the time, look nothing like jellyfish. They look like tiny little bread-crumb sized sea anemones. These “polyps”, as they’re technically (tragically?) called, can hide… Read more “Scientists use electricity, drugs, to uncover the secret world of jellyfish”
Creation of the world’s first Peanut Butter and Jellyfish
Ladies and gentlemen, I could not make this up if I tried. I owe my thanks to Wyatt Patry for sharing this study with me, and to P. Zelda Montoya and… Read more “Creation of the world’s first Peanut Butter and Jellyfish”
Comb jellies, not sponges, may be your most distant animal relative
For over a hundred years scientists have assumed that sponges (yep, the animal that inspired your kitchen sponge), are our most distant animal relative. And why not? They… Read more “Comb jellies, not sponges, may be your most distant animal relative”
The exceptional life of the mauve stinger jelly Pelagia noctiluca
Mauve stingers jellies can appear on coast by the thousands, literally overnight. This may come as no surprise to salmon farms off Ireland, or tourists in France and Spain. But where do these mauve stingers… Read more “The exceptional life of the mauve stinger jelly Pelagia noctiluca”
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