Drifting along our shores and into our calendar, it"s World Jellyfish Day! Jellyfish may be observed in all the world"s oceans in an array of shapes and sizes. There are about 2,000 different species of jellyfish, and they all lack hearts, bones, and brains. Pacific sea nettle jellyfish, seen here, are known for their vibrant golden-brown bell and long tentacles and inhabit the coastal waters of California and Oregon. Moon jellyfish are pale and have short tentacles, and in an unexpected but somewhat appropriate twist, they ventured into space aboard the space shuttle Columbia in 1991 to help scientists study their unique biology. No matter the species, jellyfish play a vital role in the ocean"s food chain, as they are the primary food source for many seawater animals, including sea turtles. Jellies are threatened by climate changes, marine pollution, and overfishing, and damage to their populations has reverberating effects on the sea life that depends on them.
World Jellyfish Day
Today in History
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Go hug a mountain, if you can
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‘Only one Earth’
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An ugly duckling no more
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Valentines Day
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Butterfly, fly away
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Milky Way over Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park
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Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
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Nuit Blanche Toronto
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History awaits atop the hill
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International Day of Peace
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Spring equinox
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Stars in daylight
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A glimpse of Yoho National Park
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Hemakuta Hill, Hampi
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What are they celebrating?
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Roll out the red carpet
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Pegadung Rock, Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
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Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
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This magical beach is worth the hike
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Something to ‘bee’ thankful for
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It’s time for the Calgary Stampede!
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An experiment in sustainability
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Man-made, meandering Lake Powell
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Alps of the sea
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Is anybody home?
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May the 4th be with you
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Kirkilai lakes, Biržai Regional Park, Lithuania