These Acrobatic Beach Hoppers Shred All Night Long | Deep Look
Deep Look・2 minutes read
Beach hoppers, or sand fleas, are small crustaceans with unique eyes that help them find their favorite food, kelp, on sandy beaches. These creatures exhibit acrobatic behavior at night, jumping high into the air and playing a crucial role in sandy beach ecosystems by breaking down beach rack and transferring nutrients into the food chain.
Insights
- Beach hoppers, or sand fleas, possess unique eyes called amitidia that enable them to detect shadows and blobs, aiding in their search for kelp, their primary food source, which they consume eagerly, even resorting to cannibalism at times.
- The acrobatic behavior of beach hoppers, propelled by their tails, allows them to jump impressive heights, contributing significantly to the breakdown of beach rack and nutrient transfer in sandy beach ecosystems, ultimately preventing the accumulation of decaying seaweed on beaches.
Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free
Recent questions
What are beach hoppers?
Small crustaceans found on sandy beaches.
How do beach hoppers move?
By using a powerful flick of their tails.
What do beach hoppers eat?
Kelp, which they consume voraciously.
Why are beach hoppers important?
They play a crucial role in sandy beach ecosystems.
How do beach hoppers contribute to the food chain?
By being consumed by predators like shorebirds and insects.