Critters of the Chesapeake Bay

1. Critters of the Chesapeake Bay The Jellyfishes

2. Jellyfishes For those that have spent any time during the summer on the Chesapeake Bay, they have probably met the “sea nettle” that can be such a pain!

3. Jellyfishes Like other types of jellyfish, the sea nettle captures food when the prey makes contact with the trailing tentacles.

4. Jellyfishes Here you can see a small fish that is being pulled up into the central cavity of the bell for digestion.

5. Jellyfishes The tentacles of jellyfish have millions of microscopic stinging cells that inject toxins to stun or kill tiny animals. That is the pain you feel if you’ve ever been stung!

6. Jellyfishes

7. Jellyfishes Why do we usually only find sea nettles in the summer?

8. Jellyfishes There are many reasons, but one of the big ones is their unique lifecycle.

9. Jellyfishes Is the sea nettle the only type of jellyfish in the bay?

10. Jellyfishes Although the sea nettle is by far the most common jellyfish in the bay, there are others that can be found.

11. Jellyfishes The moon jelly is about the size of a dinner plate but will not harm swimmers.

12. Jellyfishes It has a pink four-leaf clover design and is found in the southern Chesapeake Bay during the summer.

13. Jellyfishes During colder periods, Lion’s Mane jellyfish are often found in the bay or along our coast.

14. Jellyfishes The Mushroom Cap Jellyfish and the Cabbage Head Jellyfish can occasionally be found in the bay.

15. Jellyfishes Although ctenophores or comb jellies are not classified as true jellyfish, they can be quite common in the Chesapeake Bay.

16. Jellyfishes This relative to the jellyfish is more common in tropical waters, but it has been seen off our coast.

17. Jellyfishes Do you know its name? This is the Portuguese man o war.