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One jellyfish can turn itself young again.

Strange NatureEstablished

When injured or stressed, Turritopsis dohrnii can turn back into an earlier life stage and start over. In theory it can do this again and again.

Truth label: Established. Strong evidence and broad agreement among experts.

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Not truly immortal

It still gets eaten and catches diseases. But ageing alone does not have to end it.

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  1. Running life backwards. The adult reverts to a blob-like polyp, which then grows into a fresh colony of jellyfish.

Test yourself

What can the "immortal jellyfish" do?

Revert to an earlier life stage. It can transform back into a polyp and begin again.

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