Pacific sea nettle jellyfish Nov 3, 2023

Jellyfish may be observed in all the world"s oceans in an array of shapes and sizes. There are about 2,000 different species of jellyfish, and they all lack hearts, bones and brains. Pacific sea nettle jellyfish, seen here, are known for their vibrant golden-brown bell, long tentacles and inhabit the coastal waters of California and Oregon. Moon jellyfish are pale and have short tentacles, and in an unexpected but somewhat appropriate twist, they ventured into space aboard the space shuttle Columbia in 1991 to help scientists study their unique biology. No matter the species, jellyfish play a vital role in the ocean"s food chain, as they are the primary food source for many seawater animals, including sea turtles. Jellies are threatened by climate changes, marine pollution and overfishing, and damage to their populations has reverberating effects on the sea life that depends on them.

© Jim Patterson/Tandem Stills + Motion

palette

Today in History

Nov 3, 2024Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, Yucatán, Mexico
Nov 3, 2025Jellyfish, Guerrero, Mexico

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct 6, 2025Anshun Bridge, Chengdu, China
Mar 29, 2025Superbloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument, California, United States
Oct 31, 2023Pumpkins and squashes
Dec 8, 2025Domaso, Lake Como, Italy
Jan 15, 2024The Eiskapelle, Bavaria, Germany
Aug 18, 2025Avalanche Lake Trail at Adirondack High Peaks, New York, United States
Jun 8, 2024Confluence of Easter Creek and Killik River, Alaska, USA
Dec 31, 2023Phra Nakhon Khiri, Thailand
Apr 7, 2024North American beaver, Denali National Park, Alaska, USA
Mar 13, 2024Lesser flamingos, Lake Magadi, Kenya
May 27, 2025Heidelberg, Germany
Nov 9, 2024Aït Benhaddou, Morocco
Oct 16, 2023Golden larches and Prusik Peak, Enchantments, Washington, USA
Sep 29, 2025Rainbow houses, Netherlands
Feb 12, 2025Marine iguanas, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Dec 31, 2025Oberbaum Bridge, Berlin, Germany
May 26, 2024Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington, USA
Oct 17, 2023Torra di a Parata, Corsica, France
Aug 8, 2024Spotted owlet, Bangkok, Thailand
Dec 28, 2024Green sea turtle, New Caledonia
Oct 7, 2025Autumn colours below Mount Sneffels near Ridgway, Colorado, United States
Jul 19, 2025Luna moth
Jul 30, 2024San Gimignano, Siena, Italy
Jan 13, 2026Vale of Clwyd, Wales
Dec 8, 2023La Rocque Harbour, Island of Jersey
Jan 8, 2025Great Wall of China
Feb 27, 2026Polar bear cub, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, United States
Dec 4, 2023Cheetah and her cubs
Jan 12, 2026Eurasian otters
Aug 3, 2025Sunflowers