New Shedd exhibit spotlights fascinating 'Jellies'
Everything in a sea jelly's world seems slow ... peaceful ... lovely.
At least that is the impression you get peering into the rarely seen underwater world of these pulsating, translucent, multicolored creatures — often referred to as jellyfish — at the new “Jellies” exhibit opening Friday, April 15, at the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.
In one tank, blue blubber jellies, looking like rubbery doorknobs, pulsate and gently bounce off one another. Nearby, umbrella jellies are almost invisible — bell-shaped white ghosts, hovering in the water.
“Jellies really are quite gorgeous,” said Mark Schick of Glenview, collection manager for special exhibits at the Shedd Aquarium. “Some are quite beautiful with iridescent blues, reds, pinks and purples. Some glow in the dark. Watching them — it's like a living lava lamp.”
Despite being delicate creatures with no brains, blood or bones, thousands of jellies species have thrived in the Earth's waters for 500 million years, Schick said.
“They are basically a stomach that can swim,” he explained. “Their lives are eating and breeding.”
And here's a news flash for those who think of a sea jelly as a sinister stinging machine, rubbing its tentacles together waiting for a human limb to zap: Jellies actually have no idea what they are stinging.
“Jellies are not cruel,” Schick said. “They aren't out to attack anything — there is no brain there. They just float in the water, and when they bump into something, they think it's food — or something trying to eat them — so they sting.”
In recent weeks, sea jellies from aquariums and oceans around the world — New England, Japan, Europe and Africa — have been flown to Chicago in preparation for the exhibit.
Some of the exhibit's jellies have been bred at the Shedd where three species — Northern Pacific sea nettles, moon jellies and upside-down jellies — are on permanent display, Schick said.
Ten to 12 species will be featured in various seasons throughout the 13-month “Jellies” run, Shedd organizers say.
Special aquariums have been installed to protect the fragile bodies of the Shedd's temporary house guests.
“Jellies never sleep — they are always moving. But they can't take repeated bumps into the aquarium walls. It tears them. Our specially designed tanks keep the water moving in a slow pattern all the time. It keeps the jellies in motion and keeps them off the walls,” Schick said.
Along with viewing the jellies up-close, Shedd guests can use interactive features at the exhibit — videos and graphics — to learn about the eating and breeding habits of sea jellies.
“‘Jellies' is something that people don't want to miss,” said Ted Beattie, president and CEO of the Shedd Aquarium. “This is the largest jelly exhibit that's ever come to the Midwest. Everyone — ages 5 to 95 — can learn something about the these amazing animals and their environment.”
And guests will no doubt learn that jellies aren't just “that blob on the beach,” Schick said. “They are very graceful and beautiful.”
<b>“Jellies”</b>
<b>Location: </b>John G. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, (312) 939-2438 or <a href="http://www.sheddaquarium.org" target="_blank">sheddaquarium.org</a>
<b>Hours: </b>The exhibit runs through May 28, 2012. The Shedd Aquarium is offering extended hours of 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Saturday, April 30. Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
<b>Tickets:</b> Visit <a href="http://www.sheddaquarium.org" target="_blank">sheddaquarium.org</a> for options. A Total Experience Pass for $25.95-$34.95 allows entry to all Shedd exhibits including “Jellies.”