More interesting facts
Barrel jellyfish are very large but they’re not as big as a lion’s mane jellyfish, the largest in the world. Barrel jellyfish are the favourite food of the world's largest sea turtle - the leatherback sea turtle.
Barrel jellyfish feed entirely on plankton. Their soft bodies are over 90% water and they are some of the most ancient animals on the planet.
Did you know?
- Jellyfish are not actually fish, they are invertebrates - animals with no backbones.
- Jellyfish propel themselves forward by squirting water from their mouths.
- Some jellyfish are almost transparent, but others are vibrant in colour such as pink, yellow, blue, and purple.
- Jellyfish are considered a delicacy and are used in Chinese medicine.
- Scientists have evidence these creatures have been floating along in the world's oceans for at least 500 million years!
- The scientific name of a barrel jellyfish is ''Rhizostoma pulmo.''
- The box jellyfish (pictured above) is probably the most venomous jellyfish in the world.
- Fish and small crabs are known to seek shelter in a barrel jellyfish's protective tentacles.
