27 February 2024

Sure, it’s nonetheless February however this winter has been so heat that it’s already time to search for shrimp within the woods.

Final 12 months Adam Haritan at Be taught Your Land taught us about fairy shrimp in vernal swimming pools. In the event you missed his 7-minute video, view it proper now to seek out out what these tiny creatures appear like and the place to seek out them.

Amazingly there are 313 species of fairy shrimp (Ansotraca) world wide. Some reside in brine water, some reside in freshwater. The Eubranchipus genus which Adam talked about accommodates 16 species together with this feminine in Poland. You possibly can see the eggs inside her on the root of her tail.

Are you able to go search for fairy shrimp? Discover an remoted ephemeral pool within the woods and search for tiny motion within the water. Right here’s a photograph to set your measurement expectations. There’s one on the tip of the fingernail.

Search for vernal swimming pools within the days forward. Along with fairy shrimp you’ll discover wooden frogs and spring peepers. Don’t delay. The tip of March could also be too late.

(credit and hyperlinks are within the captions)