Tuesday, September 2, 2008
JELLYFISH
No bones. No brains. But what a sting!
The sting of some "jellies," such as sea nettles, can be deadly. Others are harmless to humans. They range in size from about 1 inch (2 1/2 centimeters) to 200 feet (61 meters) long. They have been drifting through the world's oceans for more than over 650 million years.
Jellyfish are not fish at all. They are invertebrates, relatives of corals and sea anemones.
A jellyfish has no head, brain, heart, eyes nor ears. It has no bones, either. To capture prey for food, jellies have a net of tentacles that contain poisonous, stinging cells. When the tentacles brush against prey (or, let's say, a person's leg), thousands of tiny stinging cells explode, launching barbed stingers and poison into the victim.
LOOKOUT!
1. Do take note warning signs of jellyfish.
2. Be careful when you are around jellyfishes that has been washed up on the sand. Some can still sting if their tentacles are wet. Tentacles that were torn off itself can sting, too.
3. If you are stung, wash the wound with vinegar or rubbing alcohol. Or sprinkle meat tenderizer or put a baking soda and water paste on the sting. Don't rinse with water, which could release more poison.
4. Lifeguards usually give first aid for stings. See a doctor if you have an allergic reaction.
Sources :
· info - National Geographic
· images - Jellyfish
Labels: Facts, Jellyfishes
