Moon Jellyfish

Description:

The Moon Jellyfish has a translucent medusa about 25–40 cm in diameter. It can be recognized by its four horseshoe-shaped gonads, easily seen through the top of the bell. Moon Jellyfish use their tentacles and nematocyst to snag medusae, plankton and mollusks and drawn them into the body for digestion. Digestive enzymes help break down the food. Both the adult and larvae stage of the Moon Jellyfish have nematocysts to capture prey and protect themselves from predators. They drift with the currents and move about a little on their own. Moon Jellyfish are a favorite food of the Loggerhead Seaturtle

Habitat:

Found in estuaries and harbors in temperate regions.

Notes:

We found this Moon Jellyfish while kayaking. It stayed at the surface for several minutes and then sunk down out of sight.