TAMPA, Fla. — Ever wanted to touch a jellyfish without getting stung? You'll get to soon at the Florida Aquarium.
The Tampa aquarium announced it will open the Moon Bay exhibit before summer. The interactive exhibit is being built where the shark touch tank used to be on the first floor.
The translucent, squishy moon jellies are the star of this new exhibit. These jellies have been inhabiting oceans for more than 500 million years.
The 2,000-gallon habitat will have two areas for guests to touch the jellies and watch their bell-shaped bodies glow amid changing colored lights.
"This exciting new touch experience will undoubtedly change perceptions of these amazing animals, provide a rare opportunity for guests to interact with jellies, and enhance our world-class guest experience," President and CEO Roger Germann said in a release.
But, do these jellies sting?
Moon jellies have short tentacles covered with specialized stinging cells. But the irritation or sting caused by touching the tentacles is relatively mild and doesn't last.
Aquarium guests will also be instructed on how to properly touch a moon jelly without getting stung: on the top of its bell when it's near the surface of the water.
Also, moon jellies aren't "jellyfish" since they are invertebrate and not actually "fish." They're technically a type of gelatinous zooplankton like comb jellies.
Above the touch tank will be a digital projection wall that will showcase moon jellies and other creatures found in Florida waters.
An opening date for the new exhibit has not yet been announced.
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