Not all heroes wear cloaks. Who protects the ocean from capturing the army of jellyfish (video)

Researchers have noted that jellyfish could have been captured for a long time, which, incidentally, occupies most of the Earth's surface, but there is one defender on the guard of the seas, and they have not been able to cope with it. It is about modest sea turtles. In focus. Technology has appeared its Telegram channel.

Subscribe not to miss the latest and most intrusive news from the world of science! If we look into the seaside turtle mouth, we will immediately realize that they make them so effective murderers of jellyfish. Dermochelys coriacea feeds almost exclusively by jellyfish, but they are able to reach incredible 250-907 kilograms, and their length can reach 1. 8 meters.

It is known that these animals are able to swallow jellyfish with the help of a very nightmarish set of spikes, which do not allow the prey to escape from their mouth. According to National Geographic, leathery jellyfish consume about 16,000 calories a day, which is about 73% of their weight. Scientists note that the combination of prosperity and lightness makes jellyfish stable food, as turtles hunt them with 100% probability.

In total, they consume about 1,000 metric tons of jelly-like creatures. Researchers say that these are very good news because the jellyfish are one step from capturing the oceans. In the instructive animation of TED-Ed Mariela Pakuelo and Havier Antonio Cinones show a decisive role that sea turtles play in preventing the dominance of jellyfish in the oceans. Scientists note that the dominance of jellyfish in the oceans can actually be a real problem, as these creatures are incredibly voracious.

They feed on larvae, caviar, small fish, as well as crustaceans. In addition, they are able to compete with larger species, consuming all the resources that will meet on their way. It should be noted that jellyfish are sometimes able to compete with people. For example, in Sweden, the moons of the lunar jellyfish managed to disconnect the nuclear reactor when they scored his pipes.

Researchers fear that if the situation continues to develop in the same way, in the future, the future in which the oceans will be filled with jellyfish. Scientists point out that leathery turtles and other species have one "superpowish" that makes them ideal rivals for jelly -like creatures - they are not susceptible to strategies of their attack and protection. In ordinary life jellyfish use tentacles with poisonous harpoons that allow them to protect themselves from enemies and hunt for prey.

However, these tricks do not work on turtles because they are protected by a scales consisting of keratin. At the same time, in their mouth are located back thorns, which are also made of keratin, and therefore even in the mouth of the turtle the sting of the jellyfish is unlikely to help it. However, scientists insist that this war between turtles and jellyfish can be very difficult. Jelly -like creatures are able to reproduce both asexual and sexually.