Siphonophore

ocean · jellyfish relative · deep sea · colony animal

Many bodies, one creature. A siphonophore isn't just one animal, it's a whole colony of specialized parts stuck together, each doing different jobs like eating, floating, or stinging prey.

Related to jellyfish. Siphonophores are cousins of jellyfish and sea anemones, all belonging to a group called cnidarians that use stinging tentacles to catch food.

Some glow in the dark. Many siphonophores live in the deep ocean where it's completely dark, and some species create their own light to attract prey or communicate.

Nearly 200 known species. Scientists have discovered about 194 different kinds of siphonophores so far, and they're still finding new ones in the deep sea.

Floating hunters. These creatures drift through ocean currents with their tentacles hanging down like fishing lines, ready to grab any small fish or plankton that swim too close.