The Worlds only Immortal Animal

Since it is capable of cycling from a mature adult stage to an immature polyp stage and back again, there may be no natural limit to its life span. Scientists say the hydrozoan jellyfish is the only known animal that can repeatedly turn back the hands of time and revert to its polyp state (its first stage of life).

The key lies in a process called transdifferentiation, where one type of cell is transformed into another type of cell. Some animals can undergo limited transdifferentiation and regenerate organs, such as salamanders, which can regrow limbs. Turritopsi nutricula, on the other hand, can regenerate its entire body over and over again. Researchers are studying the jellyfish to discover how it is able to reverse its aging process.

Because they are able to bypass death, the number of individuals is spiking. They're now found in oceans around the globe rather than just in their native Caribbean waters. "We are looking at a worldwide silent invasion," says Dr. Maria Miglietta of the Smithsonian Tropical Marine Institute.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• The
• Worlds
• only
• Immortal
• Animal
• jelly
• fish
• jellyfish

[jwka2001]

If it can live forever then perhaps science can use this animal to make us all immortal. Of course Highlander rules would still apply.

[ninja3002000]

I want an immortal jellyfish as a pet, that way a 100 years from now, my great great great great great offsprings can say "That jellyfish has been living in our family for generations!" =D

[llparasitell]

@silentswan12 yes but the point is, it can live on forever if it can breed and eat.

[BrownPeopleOfEurope]

Its not immortal....... if you blend it...

[DJequalizee]

 but will it blend?

[MickeyMH1]

I don't wanna be immortal.

[Hendurik]

@jwka2001 No because fully matured humans would then need to be able to revert into infants, which is impossible no matter what genes you modify.

[noahlankford1]

aww man. I'm jelly.

[silentswan12]

well maybe because nothing has ever tried to kill it. I mean it's a jellyfish for goodness sake. you'd die:\ just a thought though

[killerlad9]

@weegeetheplumer what if i shoot an arrow to your head?

[weegeetheplumer]

what if it takes an arrow to the knee

[hola979]

what if i blast it with

a shotgun anyone