imagine you’re frolicking in a field, prancing through long grass, singing “falalalala~”, occasionally picking a flower. etc, etc. but a guy in the same field is watching you, about 20 paces away. he lowers his opera glasses (which he was using to watch you) and starts clutching his head and screaming with blind rage because of how much you’re pissing him off. that’s what it’s like to be on the internet.
For quite a long time, it was believed that sponges were our most distant cousins, standing on the opposite side of the animal tree of life. Turns out it isn’t the case - shiny, jelly-like creatures are the most alien of animals!
But these aren’t true jellyfish, or anything close! Comb jellies don’t sting, and don’t have much in common with jellyfish except in appearance - in fact, they likely evolved most of their body plan completely independently!
They get their name from the rows of combs going down their body, with which they swim. These can often reflect light in unusual way, bringing a gamer vibe in the ocean depths!
Comb jellies come in a variety of shapes and sizes, not all jelly-like. Some scurry on the seafloor, while others look like huge floating ribbons. And some are even voracious predators, hunting… other comb jellies!
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