OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – It’s something you’d expect to find in the ocean, but jellyfish have been spotted floating in Oklahoma lakes.
“Jellyfish in Oklahoma waters is definitely possible, and it’s something that we see from time to time,” said Kelly Adams, communication and education supervisor with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
It’s nothing new, wildlife officials say the earliest record of jellyfish in Oklahoma dates back to 1930.
“We have found them almost throughout the entire state; they’re not restricted to a certain area of the state,” said Adams.
It’s rare to see freshwater jellyfish; they are only native to China.
“They got here accidentally, so it’s likely that the polyps came here. They attach themselves to some ornamental aquatic vegetation, or when people were dumping their aquariums or fish tanks in the waters,” said Adams.
They are also difficult to spot, as they are tiny and no larger than the size of a penny. They also have small stinging cells.
“They’re not going to hurt humans. If a human touches a freshwater jellyfish, it’s not going to sting at all, so people shouldn’t be concerned about that,” said Adams.
Although these jellyfish are considered invasive to Oklahoma, Adams says it’s nothing to be concerned about because they aren’t showing up in huge masses. Their lifespan is also only two to three months.
Adams says it is a good reminder, though, that dumping aquariums into Oklahoma’s water systems can be harmful.
“Invasive species will compete with native species for habitat like food and shelter and other resources, and a lot of times these invasive species can be very prolific, they become established, and they do quite well, and that’s hurtful to our native populations,” said Adams.
If you see a jellyfish in Oklahoma, do not panic.
