Mountain Lion

The Black Hills of South Dakota are teeming with all kinds of animal life - some are docile and beautiful to look at, while others are so dangerous they can be deadly. Most of them you will see from distance only, if at all, but there are a few that you may encounter face to face in some areas, so be sure to take precautions for your own safety. Because of their elusiveness, not a lot is actually known about mountain lions, but according to the recent numbers from the Game, Fish and Parks, there are probably 10 breeding male lions in the Black Hills with a range of 300 square miles; approximately 40 breeding females with a range of approximately 80 square miles. At any one time a breeding female can have up to two kittens with her who stays for up to a year. There are also an additional 20 sub-adult transient males who do not have established territory and are just moving through the area.

The life span for a lion is estimated up to 14 years. With a recent rise in their numbers and changes to the area's environment from last year's forest fires, there has also been an increase in mountain lion sightings. These incredible animals are extremely shy and will generally avoid you if they spot you first. Just seeing one is very rare.

However, in the event you do encounter one, the following steps are recommended by the local forest service offices. Stay calm; Maintain visual contact, but don't move toward or follow the lion. Just watch where it goes and slowly move in the other direction. Make plenty of noise - by yelling or barking like a dog, as canines are natural enemies of lions; avoid approaching it and give the lion a way to escape; DO NOT RUN - running stimulates a lion's instinct to attack. You have to show the lion something it is not used to seeing in its natural prey. Natural prey of the lion usually runs; Try to appear aggressive - make yourself as large as possible by opening your jacket and raising your arms and show your teeth. Small children should be placed on an adult's shoulder; Throw sticks, stones or whatever you have available without bending over (crouching can be a signal of aggression to a lion). UNCONFIRMED PLACES LIONS HAVE BEEN SIGHTED ("Unconfirmed" means that the Game Fish and Parks Department has been unable to find evidence of a lion, ie. tracks, droppings, etc.): The George S. Mickelson Trail; Spearfish Canyon ; The Tinton Road Singletrack; and the Sheridan Lake Recreation Area.

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Turritopsis nutricula (Immortal jellyfish)

The Immortal jellyfish is one of the most unique animals not just within the species of jellyfish, but within the entire history of the animal kingdom. It has actually managed to accomplish the one feat that has been yearned by many and accomplished by none. It appears to have cheated death and hence transformed itself into a perpetually immortal being! Let me explain how this works.

Immortal jellyfish, like most other species of jellyfish are either male or female. They do not have a specialized reproduction system. The male releases his sperms into the column of water. They come in contact with eggs that are present in the stomach of the female jellyfish. During the embryonic stage, they are either settled onto the mouth or the oral arms of the female. After they have passed this stage, they transform into free swimming planulae and separate themselves from the body of their mother. They float along the surface of the water for a few days and then settle on a hard, stationary object like the surface of a rock.

At this stage, they become transformed into polyps. These polyps become stationary as well. They continue to feed on microscopic plankton and zooplankton at this stage. This polyp then begins to grow multiple identical polyps until it becomes a colony. This colony of multiple polyps is also stationary and attached to the hard surface at its base. All the polyps are connected with minute feeding tubes and they receive equal nourishment from their microscopic diet. The colony of polyp can remain in this stage for years at a time. When the condition is right, this colony of polyp begins to grow horizontal grooves. The groove at the top is the fastest to mature, and will soon free itself and become a free swimming jellyfish.

This process of reproduction is common to most species of jellyfish. What is unique about the immortal jellyfish is that after reproducing sexually, they are able to return to their polyp stage. When most fish die after their sexual maturity, immortal jellyfish get transformed back into a polyp and restart the process of asexual reproduction. In this way, the jellyfish is able to convert itself back into a polyp, start a polyp colony again and give birth to a number of new jellyfish.

How does the immortal jellyfish accomplish this feat? It is through cell development process of transdifferentiation. What this means is that it can alter the differentiated state of the cell and transform it into a new cell. In this process of transdifferentiation, the medusa of the immortal jellyfish is transformed into the polyps of a new polyp colony. First, the umbrella reverts itself and then the tentacles and mesoglea get resorbed. The reverted medusa then attaches itself to the substrate by the end that had been at the opposite end of the umbrella and starts giving rise to new polyps to form the new colony. Theoretically, this process can go on infinitely, effectively rendering the jellyfish immortal.

Irukandji Jellyfish

Irukandji Jellyfish ( carukia barnesi and malo kingi) are venomous jellyfish found in the marine waters near Australia. This species of jellyfish is classified as Cobozoans. Other species that come under this classification include sea wasps, box jellyfish and cubomedusae.

The Irukandji Jellyfish has a fascinating history. The Irukandji people who inhabit the coastal strip north of Cairns, Queensland suffered from a mysterious condition, the source of which could not be identified. The symptoms of this condition included severe pains at various parts of the body, typically excruciating muscle cramps in the arms and legs, severe pain in the back and kidneys, and a burning sensation of the skin and face. Apart from this there was the presence of headaches, nausea, restlessness, sweating, vomiting, high heart rate and blood pressure. This mysterious condition was first documented by Hugo Flecker in 1952, and this condition came to be known as the 'Irukandji Syndrome.'

It was only in 1964 that dr. Jack Barnes identified stings from this species of jellyfish as the cause of the Irukandji Syndrome. In fact, to prove that he was right, he captured a specimen of the jellyfish and purposely stung himself and some other people. It was only after this incident that the jellyfish was acknowledged as the cause of the symptom. It is in honor of Dr. Jack Barnes and his identification of the jellyfish that led it to be called Carukia Barnesi. The venomous jellyfish is also called Malo Kingi in honor of the American tourist, Robert King, who died from its sting.

Although, a mature C. barnesi's bell is only 12 mm by 30 mm in height, it is extremely venomous despite its tiny size. The Irukundji syndrome, which is extremely severe in nature, can be caused by extremely small amount of venom from the Irukandji jellyfish sting. The sting itself causes only minor discomfort. The severe symptoms are usually delayed by at least half and hour. This is the primary reason the sting of the jellyfish were not suspected as the cause of the Irukandji Syndrome. Once the symptoms begin, they can last for hours, or even days. In several experiments, magnesium has shown some effect on subsiding the effects of the sting. Most victims usually require hospitalization and immediate medical attention. In case of delayed medical attention, stings from Irukandji jellyfish are known to have caused human deaths.

The jellyfish injects venom into the flesh of his victim through numerous nematocysts that line its tentacles. Nematocysts are capsule-like in appearance and contain a thread coiled inside it. This thread is filled with the venom and when the tentacle feels any pressure, the nematocysts become active, the thread uncoils and fixes itself into the body of the victim releasing its toxins into the victim's flesh. It should be known however, that this is a natural reflex on part of the jellyfish and not an attempt to 'attack' humans! Jellyfish don't even have brains to plan an attack. The best measure to avoid stings from the Irukandji jellyfish is to avoid its known habitats.

Eating Jellyfish

Jellyfish is a weird creature that has intrigued mankind for many years. It is found in almost all the saline waters of the world and certain species are there which live in fresh waters as well. There are 200 different varieties and each has its own color and size. The basic shape of a jelly fish is a dome or a bell, and has tentacles hanging underneath. It is a marine animal which is a predator and is carnivorous. The tentacles help to trap the different marine organisms when it is floating in the water. It mainly feeds on the zooplankton, crustaceans, small fishes and larvae. The tentacles have a nasty sting which will either paralyse or kill the prey.

Although the jellyfish is eaten by many people around the world, the initial reaction is of dread and revulsion, at the prospect of eating a jellyfish. The fear is because most of the jellyfish have venomous stings, and people feel that they will be eating something poisonous. Well, one need not have this fear, because the jellyfish which is available in the market is processed in salt and alum, which totally neutralises all the venom. In fact this process is necessary to preserve the jellyfish, because it will spoil very fast, once it is taken out of the water.

The body of the jellyfish is made up of a gelatinous substance which is 95% water. The prospect of eating a jellyfish, brings to mind this unappetising form and people are generally put off by it. The first reaction most people have is that the jellyfish has an absolutely bland taste. In fact the taste in not identifiable. The other thing is the texture, which is rubbery and wet. People who expected some bizarre taste and stinging sensations in their throats are sort of letdown by the insipid and benign experience. As for most foods, eating a jellyfish is an acquired taste and can take a while to get used to.

Another important aspect of the flesh of a cooked jellyfish is that it can take on the predominant flavours of the dish. So if the jellyfish is marinated in the usual vinegars and soy sauce, it will have that flavour and taste exactly like the sauce. If the jellyfish is included in a salad then if will stand out as a bland tasting meat, in the assortment of other meats which have their unique flavours.

A story has been recently reported of how two teenagers who had got swept out to the sea in South Carolina, managed to survive for six days, eating seaweed and jellyfish. Their sailing boat was 100 miles off course and they were totally marooned in the middle of the sea. They managed by eating raw jellyfish and seaweed. Under the circumstances it was the right thing to do as the jellyfish would have provided them with fluids also, or they would have died of dehydration.

The Stomolophus meleagris or the cannonball jellyfish is the most preferred in dishes, as they are larger and have more rigid bodies than the other jellyfish. They also have a high nutritional content and is considered a health food.

The Facts About Jellyfish

Did You Know? 

In the Artic Sea, the North Atlantic Sea and Northern Pacific Ocean lives a Jellyfish that can grow to over 120 feet long? It is the Lion's Mane Jellyfish, the largest known Jellyfish in the world. Learn more about the Lion's Mane Jellyfish.

In countries like Japan, Korea and China, it is considered a delicacy to eat Jellyfish, you can try it too!  Learn more about Eating Jellyfish.

Some Jellyfish have immortal properties. The turritopsis nutriculajellyfish is one of the most unique animals not just within the species of jellyfish, but within the entire history of the animal kingdom. It appears to have cheated death and hence transformed itself into a perpetually immortal being! Learn more about the Immortal Jellyfish. Learn more about the Turritopsis nutricula (Immortal jellyfish).

The most poisonous species of jellyfish is the Irukandji Jellyfish. Upon a string, the victim will suffer what is know as Irukandji syndrome which including nausea, vomiting, cramps, high blood pressure, severe pain, and sometimes death.  Learn more about the Irukandji Jellyfish.

In the past, you could only view Jellyfish in the wild or your favoriate Aquarium. It is now possible to keep Jellyfish at home, as pets. 

These are some pics of Jellyfish

Lion's Mane Jellyfish

Lion's Mane Jellyfish is the largest jellyfish known. They inhabit the cold northern Artic Sea and northern parts of Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Smaller jellyfish of the same species are found in the waters off New Zealand and Australia.

Lion's Mane Jellyfish is the longest known animal in the world. In 1870, the jellyfish washed ashore on Massachusetts Bay had a bell diameter of 7 feet and 6 inches. Its tentacles measured a whopping 120 feet, which is the longer than the largest known blue whale.

Those found in the northern regions are larger than those in lower latitudes are. The bell diameter may vary as much as 20 inches to 8 feet. The tentacles also vary proportionately. The tentacles are glutinous and are found in eight bunches. Each bunch has more than 100 tentacles arranged in rows.

The bell is shaped like an eight-pointed star. The thin silvery tentacle groups are attached to the bell's sub-umbrella. Another set of shorter arms protrude from the center of the bell. They form a colorful entanglement, which is visual treat.

Lion's Many Jellyfish are found in a range of colors with the larger ones seen in crimson to dark purple. The smaller ones are found in light orange to tan. These jellyfish got the name due to the color and appearance, which reminds the spectator of lion's mane.

Lion's Mane Jellyfish is seen in colder waters and not in the warm oceans. They are seen mostly in open sea. Towards the end of their lifespan, they show a tendency to settle in sheltered bays and shallow waters. They remain near the water surface and are swept forward by the ocean currents.

In the open ocean, Lion's Mane Jellyfish forms a protective island for many species of fishes like shrimp, harvestfish and medusa. They get ample food and are safe from predators while under the shelter of Lion's Mane.

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Lion's Mane feed on small fishes, moon jellies, ctenophores and zooplankton. They are preyed by larger fishes and jellyfish, sea birds and turtles.

Lion's Mane reproduces sexually during medusa stage and asexually during polyp stage. They are seen to increase in number during the beginning of the spring season. As the water warms, most of them perish. By the end of summer, those remaining will grow to a bell size of about 6 inches. The normal lifespan of Lion's Mane is one year.

The population of Lion's Mane doesn't vary much from year to year. It may show a slight change depending on the variation in the water temperature. It is possible to predict the population and bell size, if the water temperature is known.

If the ocean has Lion's Mane presence, the best time to go for swimming without protection is early spring, when it is too small to hurt or late summer, when there are very few left to harm. During the entire summer months from June to first half of August, it is advisable to take precautions for jellyfish sting.

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