ReproductionBefore a jellyfish becomes what we think of as a jellyfish, it needs to develop. Jellies are not just born as little jellyfish. They instead begin as a larvae. They then attach themselves to a firm surface and develop into a flower like polyps. The polyp then develops into a strobula. Over time the mature strobula will release many ephyra. These free swimming ephyra then develop into the medusa stage or adult jelly complete with gonads. The animated video to the right quickly runs through the life cycle of a jellyfish.
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