The lions mane jellyfish is among the largest jellyfish species known, found in the cold waters of the Arctic, northern Atlantic, and northern Pacific oceans. Its bell can grow to several feet across, trailing a mass of thin, hair-like tentacles that can extend for many meters and are lined with stinging cells used to capture small fish and plankton. Though its sting is rarely dangerous to humans, it can cause painful welts, and the sheer number and length of its tentacles have made it one of the most recognizable jellyfish in cold northern seas.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleVenomous or Dangerous to Humans 1 Comparison
NatureServe Rank CITES Appendix Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceBell commonly about 50 cm across, up to over 2 m in far northern waters 1 Scientific Name Conservation Status Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Wikidata: Lion's Mane Jellyfish
In Biome
In Ecosystem
Source Wikidata: Lion's Mane Jellyfish
Additional Source Arctic Ocean (Wikipedia)Article text
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Lion's mane jellyfish, Wikipedia
Lead paragraph
The lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) is one of the largest known species of jellyfish.
Description
They can vary greatly in size: although capable of attaining a bell diameter of over 2 m (6 ft 7 in), those found in lower latitudes are normally smaller than their far northern counterparts, with a bell about 50 cm (20 in) in diameter.
Behavior and reproduction
The lion's mane jellyfish uses its stinging tentacles to capture, pull in, and eat prey such as fish, zooplankton, and smaller jellyfish.
Sting: effect on humans
Their sting has been described as very painful, feeling like an intense itching or burning sensation.
- In Biome: Marine, Wikipedia 'Lion's mane jellyfish': range confined to cold, boreal waters of the Arctic, northern Atlantic, and northern Pacific Oceans
In Group: True Jellyfish (Scyphozoa), Lead
The lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) is one of the largest known species of jellyfish.
View the Source2. GBIF Species API
3. NatureServe Explorer: Cyanea capillata
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "GNR"
4. UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat): Species+: Animalia
UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat)Species+ taxon_concepts, id 23Quote, Species+ taxon_concepts, id 23
"cites_listing":"I/II/III/NC","eu_listing":"A/B/C/D/NC","higher_taxa":{"kingdom":"Animalia","phylum":null,"class":null,"order":null,"family":null},"synonyms":[],"common_names":[{"name":"Animals","language":"EN"},{"name":"Fauna","language":"EN"},{"name":"Animaux","language":"FR"}],"cites_listings":[]
5. GBIF (IUCN Red List category): GBIF IUCN Red List category for Cyanea capillata
GBIF (IUCN Red List category)GBIF taxon key 2264478, category fieldQuote, GBIF taxon key 2264478, category field
"category": "NOT_EVALUATED"
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Wikidata: Lion's Mane Jellyfish
- Wikidata Q522939, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
- Child Taxon Of: Scyphozoa, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the SourceArctic Ocean (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIn Ecosystem: Arctic Ocean, Article textQuote, In Ecosystem: Arctic Ocean, Article text
Lion's mane jellyfish are abundant in the waters of the Arctic, and the banded gunnel is the only species of gunnel that lives in the ocean.
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