World Jellyfish Day
Floating gracefully, this ocean creature displays a stunning dance of translucent elegance beneath the waves, an embodiment of the sea's mysteries.
Although World Jellyfish Day may sound a bit odd to some, it only makes sense to celebrate an invertebrate that has been on this earth for millions of years longer than humans. So, this event is meant to honor our slightly slimy counterparts that can sometimes cause a bit of consternation at the beach.
History of World Jellyfish Day
Most people feel that the informal origins of World Jellyfish Day likely stem from a group of enthusiastic marine biologists–or simply through those who merely respect the simplicity of these strange and yet beautiful creatures. The largest populations of jellyfish are prevalent in the southern hemisphere, in places like Australia and South Africa where the beaches are teeming with these interesting (and sometimes dangerous) creatures.
World Jellyfish Day has been slated to fall in the springtime in the southern hemisphere, as this is the season when jellyfish will begin their migration to the shores of the northern hemisphere.
How to Celebrate World Jellyfish Day
Obviously, commemorating this event can be a bit difficult. Clearly, it’s not possible to take a jellyfish out to dinner nor would it enjoy a day at the spa. However, simply traveling to the beach in hopes of catching a glimpse of one is one fun idea that could be implemented. Try out these other ideas to enjoy the celebration of World Jellyfish Day:
Learn Fun Facts About Jellyfish
Get on board with this day by paying heed to the Jellyfish and learning more about its life. Try out these fun facts to share with friends when reminding them that it’s World Jellyfish Day:
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A group of jellyfish is called “bloom”, a “swarm” or a “smack”. That’s such a fun way to refer to a collection of these unique and interesting creatures.
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Jellyfish not only do not have bones or a heart, but they also do not actually have a brain–only a central nervous system. This, however, does not keep them from being smart and able to adapt to their environments.
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Some jellyfish can glow in the dark! The ones who have this feature have bioluminescent organs that emit either green or blue light, which is activated by touch. This functions as protection as it aims to startle a predator.
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One giant species of jellyfish is called Hair Jelly. The largest ever recorded was found washed up in Massachusetts, USA, in 1870. It had tentacles that were more than 120 feet long–even longer than a blue whale!
Consider Getting a Pet Jellyfish
Although many jellyfish are not safe, some species can be kept as pets, such as the Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia Aurita) or the Sea Nettle jellyfish. As saltwater creatures, jellyfish can be a bit more complicated than an average goldfish but, when well cared for, they can live a happy life that lasts several months to several years.
Head Over to the Aquarium
Get up close and personal with some jellyfish and their sea-faring friends on this day by visiting an aquarium. Hop over to one locally, or make a trip out of it by visiting one of these that are considered some of the best aquariums in the world:
- The Florida Aquarium, Tampa Bay, USA. It makes sense that one of the best aquariums would be located so close to the water, with the ocean on one side and the gulf on the other. This one is located in Tampa, a city on the gulf side about halfway down the peninsula.
- Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Hengqin, Zhuhai, China. This is the largest aquarium in the world and is well known for its eight different themed areas and tons of entertainment along with viewing the sea creatures.
- Oceanogràfic, Valencia Spain. The largest aquarium in Europe, Oceanogràfic offers science, education and recreation for children and adults.
- Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver, Canada. Celebrating more than 65 years of sea life adventures, this not-for-profit aquarium offers access to those near the Pacific Northwest of North America.
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