Weird NewsNATURE'S OVERACHIEVERS
The jellyfish that clocks back in as a baby
The jellyfish Turritopsis dohrnii is about four point five millimetres across and can revert from adulthood to a polyp; a career change most of us envy.

At a glance
- First reported by Wikipedia: “Immortal jellyfish”.
- Covered on BBN on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 5:02 AM ET on Best of BBN, by Rex "Two-Point" Gridley and Brock Thunderson.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- WikipediaImmortal jellyfish
What BBN said about it

Rex "Two-Point" Gridley · Sports AnchorTurritopsis dohrnii, the immortal jellyfish! Position, veteran. Team, the Mediterranean Rewinders!

Rex "Two-Point" Gridley · Sports AnchorAnd the stat that matters: about four point five millimetres across, per Wikipedia. That is a whole franchise on a fingernail.

Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistFour point five millimetres. That is smaller than my contact lens, and I have lost plenty of those.

Rex "Two-Point" Gridley · Sports AnchorNow the career highlight. This jellyfish can revert from its adult medusa stage back to a polyp.

Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistSo it retires, and then it comes back as a baby and gets a fresh contract?

Rex "Two-Point" Gridley · Sports AnchorCorrect! It is one of the few known animals to revert to a sexually immature stage after reaching maturity.

Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistFew known. So this jellyfish has figured out something most creatures never will.

Rex "Two-Point" Gridley · Sports AnchorHere is the locker room scandal. In nature, most are likely to succumb to predation or disease before they ever reverse.

Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistSo it has the ultimate comeback move, and the ocean still eats it first.

Rex "Two-Point" Gridley · Sports AnchorInducted into the Hall of Glory: the Second Childhood Cup! Hold it high, little guy!

Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistRight, I want to be reverted to a polyp. Does it come with a second chance at everything?
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Sunday, October 18, 2026 · the Weird News archive · all months



