# Ctenophore (*Mertensia (ctenophore)*) Ctenophores, also known as comb jellies, are beautiful creatures found in oceans. They have transparent bodies and rows of glowing cilia that help them move gracefully through the water. - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Marine ![Ctenophore](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425851/objects/6032.jpg) ## Appearance The Ctenophore has a transparent, jelly-like body, often shaped like a sphere or bell. It features eight distinct rows of shimmering, iridescent combs that glow with rainbow colours as it moves through water. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Tentaculata - **Family:** Mertensiidae - **Genus:** Mertensia ## Interesting facts - Comb jellies are named for the tiny 'combs' they use to swim! - Ctenophores can completely regrow missing body parts, even their mouths! - Some ctenophores can even eat other ctenophores for dinner! - They were the first animals to evolve a complete gut with two openings! ## Special abilities - **Rainbow Movers:** Ctenophores have eight rows of tiny, hair-like cilia (combs) that beat in waves to propel them and create a rainbow effect. - **Light Show!:** Ctenophores can make their own light using special cells called photocytes, which helps them attract prey or scare predators. - **Glue Traps:** Some Ctenophores have sticky cells called colloblasts on their tentacles to capture tiny prey, preventing their escape. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 0.5 cm - **Lifespan:** 1 years - **Maximum Depth:** 2000 m - **Speed Cm:** 2 cm/s ## Diet & Feeding Tiny plankton and other small marine organisms are favorite meals for ctenophores. - **Primary Foods:** zooplankton, copepods, fish eggs, larval fish, other small ctenophores - **Foraging Method:** Filter feeding ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Ocean Sunfish (*Mola mola*) — Huge fish that often eats jellies. - **Hunts:** Copepod (*Acartia tonsa*) — Major food source for many ctenophores. - **Hunts:** Lobed Comb Jelly (*Beroe ovata*) — Some ctenophores prey on other ctenophores. - **Eaten by:** [Loggerhead Sea Turtle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/loggerhead-sea-turtle) (*Caretta caretta*) — These turtles often mistake jellies for food. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. - [Glowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/glowing): Pertaining to organisms that emit light through bioluminescence or fluorescence. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Invertebrates](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/invertebrates) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch ctenophores in the wild as some species can sting. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ctenophore? Look for fins, arms, tentacles, shells and body symmetry. Underwater light shifts colors, so structure and markings usually matter more than shade. Sea Creature Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Ctenophore? 0.5 cm ### How long does Ctenophore live? 1 years ### What does Ctenophore eat? Tiny plankton and other small marine organisms are favorite meals for ctenophores. ### Where is Ctenophore usually found? Marine ### How does Ctenophore hunt? Filter feeding ### How deep can Ctenophore go? 2000 m ### How fast can Ctenophore move? 2 cm/s ## More Invertebrate - [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral) - [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*) - [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) - [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*) --- Source: [Ctenophore: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ctenophore)