Ev E rything you n EE d to know about J E llyfish!

Jellyfish are mainly free-swimming marine animals with umbrella-shaped bells and trailing tentacles. They are found all over the world, from surface waters to the deep sea.

Scyphozoans (the “true jellyfish”) are exclusively marine, but some hydrozoans with a similar appearance live in freshwater. Large, often colourful, jellyfish are common in coastal zones worldwide.

Jellyfish have no brain, heart, bones or eyes. They are made up of a smooth, bag-like body and tentacles armed with tiny, stinging cells. These incredible invertebrates use their stinging tentacles to stun or paralyse prey before gobbling it up. The jellyfish’s mouth is actually to be found in the centre of its body.

Jellyfish are carnivorous and feed on small fish and planktonic organisms. They dine on fish, shrimp, crabs and tiny plants. Sea turtles relish the taste of jellyfish.

Jellyfish stings are fairly common problems for people swimming, wading or diving in oceans. The long tentacles trailing from the jellyfish can inject venom from thousands of microscopic barbed stingers. Most often jellyfish stings cause instant pain and inflamed marks on the skin. Jellyfish use their sting to capture prey and act as a defence mechanism. When their tentacles encounter a human or other sort of prey, they reach out and fire out harpoon-like structures containing a neurotoxic venom. It will paralyse their prey but in the case of humans, it will just really hurt!

If you or someone you’re with is stung by a jellyfish, take action right away.

Jellyfish have stinging cells called nematocysts inside of their tentacles. A single tentacle may contain thousands of nematocysts. Nematocysts contain a poisonous substance (venom) that helps jellyfish protect themselves. The venom also helps them capture food by stinging it

The long tentacles trailing from the jellyfish can inject venom from thousands of microscopic barbed stingers.. Some stings may cause more whole-body (systemic) illness. And in rare cases they’re life-threatening.

Pouring vinegar on the sting area is a fact that can help relieve pain however peeing on your friends to soothe their jellyfish stings is a myth!

If you get stung by a jellyfish, rinse the affected area with vinegar for at least 30 seconds. Vinegar can help neutralize the venom. You can also remove any tentacles that are still on your skin using a pair of tweezers or the edge of a credit card. After removing the tentacles, soak the skin in hot water or take a hot shower for at least 20 minutes. This can help relieve pain and prevent itching. If you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or a rapid heartbeat after being stung by a jellyfish, seek emergency medical attention right away!