Lion’s Mane Jellyfish

The lion’s mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) is one of the largest known species of jellyfish, named for its long, reddish-brown or orange tentacles which resemble a lion’s mane. Lion’s manes can have a bell diameter of over 2 meters (7 feet) with tentacles extending more than 30 meters (100 feet) used to sting and capture prey. These jellies are typically found in cooler bodies of water such as the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans and are especially common in the Gulf of Maine. While lion’s mane stings are not usually fatal, they are extremely painful and contact should be avoided.

Their diet consists mainly of small fish, zooplankton, copepods, and other jellyfish and are typically preyed on by sea turtles, sunfish, and some seabirds. Most lion’s mane jellyfish have a lifespan of approximately one year, however, they play a vital role in marine ecosystems by providing shelter to smaller sea creatures.

Learn more:
Wikipedia – Lion’s Mane Jellyfish
NOAA Ocean Service
Aquarium of the Pacific

1 Today’s Forecast

2 Forecast Animation

3 Observation Distributions

4 Proportion of Observations Histograms