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Sunday, January 29, 2012

Jelly At The Zoo

 

 

 

IMG_7313_Moon Jellyfish

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_7314_Moon Jellyfish

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_7316_Moon Jellyfish

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_7318_Moon Jellyfish

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_7319_Moon Jellyfish

Moon Jellyfish

 

 

When a person goes to the Zoo most people think of Lions, Tigers, Giraffes, Elephants, Monkeys and such. I decided back in Sept. I would check out a few different species in the Pavilions. I found it challenging due to the lighting in these buildings, and of course the crowds of onlookers, but thought I would give it a try.

I could spend hours at the zoo in awe of all the amazing animals that I see, and want to see. I find it so fascinating. I think I could spend weeks there and not have enough time to spend with all my animal friends. I love animals and so does the One who Created them all. What an imagination our God and Creator has to make such a vast diversity of life on this planet called earth, and we humans haven’t discovered it all yet and probably never will. Scientists are no match for God The Creator of all life, including them. :)

These pictures were taken at the Toronto Zoo which has over 5000 different animal species to see. At some point I will post some of my other zoo pictures.

I will leave information on the Moon Jellyfish at the end of this post for anyone who may be interested in reading it and finding out some fascinating information on this animal. There are plenty of good sites on the internet as well.

I haven’t been out with my camera in quite awhile due to life circumstances. It has been on the shelf for now, but when the time is right I will be back out capturing the beauty that surrounds me each and every day. For now I am just thankful for eyes to see the things around me day by day. I am thankful for many things in my life. Life is precious. I hope to find you all well. Thank you for those of you who remember my mom in your prayers as she suffers from Chronic Kidney Disease. Life is challenging and an uphill battle for her. She is very courageous, and a woman of Faith. I am a much better person because of my mom. She has always been there for me, and I for her.

Hope you all take care and have a wonderful week whatever you do or don’t do.

Until next time and I hope to visit you all soon.

xx’s Dianne :)

 

 

IMG_7316_Moon Jellyfish

 

Moon jellyfish

 

Location at the Toronto Zoo: Australasia

Region:

Australasia

 

Scientific Name:

Aurelia aurita

Description

: Jellyfish are ancient creatures. Fossils have been found in rocks that are 650 million years old. Today there are more than 2000 species. Jellyfish are 95% water, 3% protein, and 1% mineral. There are four life stages from birth to adult. There is no backbone, brain, or heart. Adults drift with the currents, but can swim horizontally by pulsations of the bell to keep close to the surface. A primitive nerve net controls muscle contractions as it swims. The adult form is a transparent bell shape that ranges between 5 and 40 cm wide. Underneath is a central mouth surrounded by four oral arms that carry the stinging tentacles. From above, four crescent shaped gonads surround the mouth. On the rim of the bell are eight sets of eye spots sensitive to light and eight statocysts that help orient jellyfish when swimming. Jellyfish are primitive organisms with an outer layer (ectoderm) that covers the external surface and an inner layer (endoderm) that lines the gut. Between these is a jelly layer or mesoglea. The simple digestive cavity acts as a gullet, stomach, and intestine. There is one opening between the oral arms that acts as a mouth, anus, and entrance for sperm (in females).

Distribution

: Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.

Habitat

: Shallow coastal waters as well as brackish waters with a salt content as low as 0.6 %. Jellyfish can survive in water from 6 ˚C to 31 ˚C. The optimum temperature is 9 ˚C to 19 ˚C.

Food

: Jellyfish are carnivorous plankton eaters. They feed on fish eggs and larval fish and other plankton, such as mollusks, crustaceans, and copepods etc. Food is collected on the mucus surface of the jellyfish and by the tentacles. Flagellar action of the tentacles passes the food items to the margin of the bell and then up into the mouth and stomach.

Reproduction and Development

: Jellyfish are either male or female. Sexual reproduction begins when a male medusa releases sperm through its mouth. The sperm swim into the mouth of a nearby female where fertilization occurs. Further development into free swimming planula (larval stage) occurs in brood pouches along the oral arms. The planula settle on the ocean floor and attach to the bottom forming the polyp. Polyps bud asexually to produce free swimming larvae known as ephyra, which grow into the adult medusa.

Adaptations

: The transparent body makes a jellyfish less visible to predators. Oral arms have tentacles that carry nematocysts (stinging cells) that stun prey or deter predators. About 70 species are harmful to humans. The medusa can shrink in size when food is scarce and grow when it is abundant. Radial symmetry permits finding food in any direction.

Threats to Survival

: Predators include sea turtles, ocean sunfish, spade fish, tuna, swordfish, and other large fish. Humans, particularly in some Asian countries, capture and eat dried non-venomous jellyfish.

Status

: IUCN: Not Evaluated; CITES: Not Listed.

Zoo Diet

: Cyclopeeze, and live brine shrimp.

20 comments:

  1. Amazing photos. I remember being in awe at the Aquarium in Monterey, but it is hard to get good photos in there. Love the detail you were able to get. Your mom is in my prayers...

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  2. Dianne, for a minute there I thought you may have been diving in the Ocean somewhere.

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  3. Hi Dianne Jelly Fish have always amazed me , I have been watching a TV program The Great Barrier Reef what beautiful creatures , it is truly amazing. Your photo shots are very clear and the detail. Your mum is in my prayers, hope she is the best she can be. Look forward to you picking up your camera very soon. Thank you for sharing the info on these tiny creatures.
    Hugs Sheila and Wile-e, oh by the way how is little Jesse.

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  4. Fascinating pictures. Who but God would think of making a creature like that. To God be the glory for our fantastic world.

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  5. Hi Dianne

    Awesome pictures, when you mention Toronto Zoo, it always brings back memories for me, of my visit there, whilst visiting my brother a few years back.

    Thinking of you and your mum. My husband is having some problems after an operation on his bladder, not easy, but then nobody ever said it would be.

    Thank God for Jesus and his help and strengthening for us all, who ask.

    Hugs across the big pond - Nita x

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  6. I've been really trying to not put my camera down too. Lately just picking it up for my weekly blog has been somewhat of a challenge but I'm always glad that I do it in the long run. We recently found a tiger salamander and have added him to our family. It's been fascinating and a total blast to raise him! I love things like that and frankly love checking out jelly fish and things like that at zoos as well. I know it's been a struggle with you mom. Grace and healing to you all my friend.

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  7. Amazing... so cool to see and I bet very fun to photograph!

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  8. Amazing pix! Praying all is well with you and yours, D.

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  9. Un precioso post, Dianne.

    Abrazos de Isis

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  10. Hi Dianne! These are fantastic photos of the Jellyfish, well done for the lighting that was provided. I too like many others have been so busy or distracted to dust off the camera, but I try to have it with me everyday. Best of all wishes for your mom!

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  11. Amazing shots, they're so beautiful!
    Best wishes for your mom.
    Take care.
    Mette

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  12. Thank you, each and everyone for your comments and prayers.
    Dianne :)

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  13. These are breathtaking images of jellyfish. The body has as a veil. Mystical creatures. Thank you for the nice text medúzách. Have a nice weekend. / Peter.

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  14. They are so beautiful. That last one in your series looks like a spaceship.

    I was stung by one once :o It was only painful for a few hours :)

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  15. Hey Diane, I have not visited your blog, you have to forgive that is not done, but I was also about to leave the camera parked because of a problem in my eyes, in fact I lost vision in one, but. .. I'm fine, and I'll put pictures almost as beautiful how are you from you from jellyfish that I loved.
    Also pray for his mother for his recovery.
    a greeting

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  16. What a great post and amazing photos! We see them pretty often on the beach but we stay away! ♥

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  17. Thank you everyone for your comments and prayers. :)

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  18. Wow. These are really odd . Fantastic !! capture of them. I have never seen them. I have now though you lens up close.
    Smiles and Hugs Dianne.

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