What do baby jellyfish look like?

Baby jellyfish, also known as planulae, look quite different from adult jellyfish. They start their lives as tiny, oval-shaped organisms that swim freely in the water. Planulae are typically transparent or translucent, making them difficult to spot in the ocean.

They have a simple structure, consisting of a mouth, gut, and rudimentary nervous system. Planulae lack tentacles and the characteristic bell-shaped bodies of adult jellyfish. Instead, they rely on cilia, tiny hair-like structures, for movement and feeding. As they grow and develop, the planulae undergo a process known as metamorphosis, where they gradually transform into juvenile jellyfish resembling adults in appearance and lifestyle.