Immortal Jellyfish
About the Immortal Jellyfish
The only known immortal animal. When stressed, injured, or old, it can revert to its juvenile polyp stage and start life over - potentially forever. This process is called transdifferentiation. It can cycle from adult to polyp and back indefinitely. Discovered in the Mediterranean in the 1880s but the immortality was not recognized until the 1990s. It is spreading worldwide, possibly through ballast water from ships. Despite immortality, they can still be eaten by predators. They are only 4.5 mm wide. Scientists study them for insights into human aging and regeneration. Their scientific name is Turritopsis dohrnii.
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