The peach blossom jellyfish has existed on Earth for over half a billion years, long before the first dinosaurs appeared.
CNS shared rare close-up footage of the peach blossom jellyfish filmed at Yinkengshan Lake in the Suichang Gold Mine National Park located in Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, eastern China, on September 22.
The peach blossom jellyfish has been around longer than dinosaurs.
The peach blossom jellyfish is the only freshwater jellyfish in the world and thrives only in unpolluted waters. This is the 15th consecutive year that this special jellyfish has been found in Yinkengshan, indicating that the lake maintains good water quality.
“This year, they appear larger than in previous years,” shared a staff member at the Suichang Gold Mine National Park.
Dubbed a “living fossil,” the peach blossom jellyfish first appeared on Earth approximately 550 million years ago, predating dinosaurs. It is only as small as a coin, with a nearly transparent umbrella-shaped body.
The peach blossom jellyfish inhabits Yinkengshan Lake in China. (Video: CNS)
The peach blossom jellyfish was first discovered in China over 400 years ago during the Ming Dynasty and typically appears during the peach blossom season. They resemble floating flower petals, which is why locals named them so. Additionally, this species is also known by other names such as freshwater jellyfish and water panda.
The peach blossom jellyfish originates from the Yangtze River basin but has now been introduced to every continent except Antarctica. In China, they hold significant research and ornamental value and are classified as a national first-level protected species.
