Jelly good show: Brookfield Zoo’s Latest exhibit makes waves

Brookfield Zoo is giving guests a reason to float with excitement. Nearly triple the number of moon jellies are now gently pulsing through a brand-new, redesigned habitat at The Living Coast exhibit, and they’re bringing plenty of glow with them.

These otherworldly invertebrates, known for their ghostly transparency and soft, drifting movements, are back with more bounce than ever. With their umbrella-like "bells" and flowing tentacles, moon jellies create a hypnotic scene as they move with the current, part science lesson, part aquatic art installation.

Brookfield Zoo officials say this new habitat gives guests an up-close look at one of the ocean’s oldest creatures. “Moon jellies are fascinating animals not only for how they look, but for what they tell us,” the zoo said in a press release. “They’re an important indicator species, meaning their health helps signal the overall condition of the ecosystem.”

If that’s not enough to make you jelly, here are some wild facts: moon jellies are about 95% water, have no central nervous system, and glow like a lava lamp under certain lights. They’ve been gliding through the oceans for more than 500 million years, which is older than dinosaurs, and they use a simple nerve net under their bell to sense their surroundings.

Despite their seemingly delicate forms, moon jellies are skilled hunters. They use their tentacles to snag tiny prey like plankton and small fish, drawing them into their mouth without much fuss.

Later this year, the zoo is launching a new Wild Connections experience that lets guests step behind the scenes and even feed the moon jellies themselves. The immersive program will give a peek into how animal care specialists maintain the habitat and ensure these ancient drifters are healthy and thriving.

The exhibit and upcoming experience were made possible through support from the Zoo’s Women’s Board. Visitors can learn more and keep an eye out for the experience’s launch on Brookfield Zoo's website.