Huge, uncommon 'phantom jellyfish' that uses its limbs as mouths, spotted off California coast

Scientists using a novel-type remote submarine caught stunning footage of a giant "phantom jellyfish" hidden in the deep blue waters of Monterey Bay, California. At a depth of 3,200 feet (975 meters), the giant predator was captured by marine biologists from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). Its lengthy "mouth-arms" dangled behind it as it drifted.

Monterey Bay's researchers have only successfully captured the elusive species on nine separate occasions. MBARI said in a press release: "In 1899, a massive phantom jelly was discovered for the first time. Biologists have only encountered this species a hundred times since then."

The largest jellyfish on Earth, Stygiomedusa gigantea, may be found in all oceans' deepest parts, save the Arctic. MBARI reports that sightings of the predator are very rare since it often lives in waters beyond deep for humans or even submarines to view.


For instance, the jellyfish's gigantic bell is 3.3 feet in diameter, and its velvety "mouth-arms" may reach as far as 33 feet.



Despite the lack of information available, scientists believe that the massive phantom jellyfish uses its mouth-arms to grasp hapless prey and pull it up to its mouth.

The diameter of the jellyfish's gigantic bell is around 1 meter (3.3 feet), and the length of its velvety "mouth-arms" may reach up to 33 feet (10 meters). Scientists suspect that the huge phantom jellyfish employs its mouth arms to grasp unfortunate prey and carry it up to its mouth, even though little is known about these aquatic critters.

FAQs:

1. Are phantom jellyfish rare?
   They are a rare sight.
2. Are phantom jellyfish poisonous?
   They are all venomous.