Jellyfish have inhabited the Earth for over 650 million years. They were even here before the sharks and dinosaurs. In fact, scientists have found impressions of jellyfish embedded in stones that are millions of years old. Since they are an important aspect of the Earth's eco-system, the Monterey Bay Aquarium California has created a special jellyfish habitat.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium California celebrates their famous jellyfish habitat with a special exhibit entitled “Jellies: Living Art.” Every sort of jellyfish is represented in this exhibit. You will see the nearly microscopic tinkerbells as well as the giant jellyfish. In 2003, a new type of giant jellyfish was discovered in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Aquarium officials have described it as a big red spaceship that cruises the ocean depths. Thus, this new kind of giant jellyfish has been appropriately named “Big Red.” While many of you are probably familiar with the classic umbrella-shaped jelly that trails its tentacles as it pulses through the water, the other types of jellies are often quite unusual. Many in the jellyfish habitat do not have tentacles at all. For example, the comb jellies use rows of tiny, oar like hairs to paddle their way through the California waters. The giant jellyfish Big Red uses four to seven fleshy arms to capture its food.

So how do these fishy folks get around their jellyfish habitat? In the Rhythm and Movement Gallery at the Monterey Bay Aquarium California, jellyfish movements and rhythmic patterns are explored. Some pulse peacefully, as if they were waltzing the waters. Others live for the fast life as if they were dancing the jitterbug. Other jellyfish seem to be rowing a boat. Then there are the ones who look as if they are doing a strange combination of yoga and aerobics as they endlessly throb upside down.

The jellyfish in the Monterey Bay California Aquarium jellyfish habitat seemed to be dressed for a formal occasion. The flower hat jellies are “dressed” in flamboyant green, pink, purple and yellow. The spotted jellies probably think that they are very cute with their cream-colored polka dots. The tricky little things cannot be seen in the water, so that you never see them coming when they sting you. Now that's just wrong!

Because of its display of jellyfish that have never been seen in any other art of North America, the Jellies: Living Art exhibit is considered to be one of the highly popular California attractions.