Triops are crustaceans (shrimp) that look like miniature horseshoe crabs
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| A horseshoe crab |
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| A Triop (a VERY big one) |
Where do they come from?
Triops live in the deserts that usually dry up during certain times of the year when there is no rainfall. Although the adult Triops die during these droughts, the eggs stay dormant until the rains return , making it safe for them to hatch.
Why are they special?
Triops are like living fossils! They have been on Earth since Devonian period, some 350 million years ago! Another cool thing is the fact that the eggs can lay dormant for many decades, but the average life span of a hatched one is only 6 weeks.
What do they do?
swim, eat, shed skin, sleep, etc...
What do they eat?
Triops eat fairy shrimp, peas, and commercial triop food. If they get hungry enough, they will eat each other!How do they reproduce?
Triops are hermaphroditic (unisex) so they can lay eggs without another triop.
Are they dangerous?
To humans, no. To fairy shimp or other triops, yes.
