The giant siphonophore looks like the skinniest and longest jellyfish imaginable. Its thin body can actually grow longer than a blue whale's. The giant siphonophore lives in deep water and lurks there as one of the top predators in the darkest depths. It can paralyze prey with the thousands upon thousands of stinging cells that line its lengthy tentacles.
Bell First: This creature's "head" has two transparent bells that are joined together. The sides of the bells ripple to provide thrust and help steer the creature. With the bell at the lead, the body follows, looking like a roller coaster as it waves up and down.
Come Together: The giant siphonophore is actually a group of dozens of separate organisms that live in a colony and work together, each performing a different task. The organisms that make up the bell specialize in swimming and reproduction. Those on the long body focus on killing prey.
It's Curtains for Prey[]
Siphonophores light up when prey nears.
The giant siphonopore's thin body is about the diameter of a quarter, but it stretches to lengths up to 140 feet; this makes it the longest known living creature in the world. Dozens of thin tentacles corkscrew around the body and hang from it like a beaded curtain. When a small fish tries to swim through, venomous stinging cells fire and lodge themselves in the victim. The fish is paralyzed instantly, and the tentacles slowly move the prey toward one of the siphonophore's several stomachs, which line its long body.
Got that Glow: Like some other deep-sea creatures, the giant siphonophore can create its own light. When any part of its body touches potential prey, the creature's stem-like body lights up to signal the tentacles that a meal might be near.
Off the Wall: This creature often lives in deep-sea canyons, where its tentacles can snag on jagged rocks. The tentacles are so thin that they tear off easily. Fortunately, the siphonophore can re-grow lost limbs, complete with new stinging cells.
Stinging Cousins[]
Though much smaller, the Portuguese man-o-war is a type of siphonophore. Like it's giant cousin, the man-o-war is made up of many different organisms living in a colony, and also has tentacles that are loaded with stinging cells. Unlike its deep-sea cousin, the man-o-war's "head" is a gas-filled float that keeps this creature at the ocean's surface.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The giant siphonophore is the third-longest (real-world) creature covered in the series, after the Argentinosaurus and the tentacles of the Portuguese Man-O-War, both being 150 feet.
- The giant siphonophore is featured on several Monster Mania cards:
- It is first featured in Odd Creature Out on Monster Mania 44.
- It is then featured in Record Setters on Monster Mania 61.