BALTIMORE, Maryland — A close-up view of jellyfish swimming in a tank at the National Aquarium in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The jellyfish are backlit against a bright blue background, allowing visitors to see through their translucent bodies and observe their delicate internal structures.
Photograph by David Coleman. The National Aquarium, located in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, is a world-class facility dedicated to marine life conservation and education. Established in 1981, it has become one of the city's premier attractions, welcoming over million visitors annually. The aquarium houses more than 20,000 animals representing 800 species in various recreated habitats. The jellyfish exhibit is a particularly captivating display, showcasing these fascinating creatures in specially designed tanks. Jellyfish, belonging to the phylum Cnidaria, are complex organisms despite their simple appearance. Their bodies consist of a bell-shaped structure called a medusa, from which tentacles extend. These tentacles contain stinging cells called nematocysts, used for capturing prey and defense. The aquarium's jellyfish tanks are often backlit to enhance the visibility of these translucent animals. This lighting technique allows visitors to observe the jellyfish's internal structures, including their rudimentary digestive system and the symmetrical arrangement of their body parts. The blue background in the tanks not only provides a striking visual contrast but also mimics the open ocean environment where many jellyfish species are found. Jellyfish play crucial roles in marine ecosystems as both predators and prey. They feed on small fish and plankton, while also serving as a food source for larger animals like sea turtles. The National Aquarium's jellyfish exhibit contributes to public understanding of these often misunderstood creatures, highlighting their ecological importance and the need for ocean conservation.
Size: 6000px × 4000px
Location: Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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