These Shrimp Live And Die In The Woods

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[arielroots]

When I was younger, during a early spring mushroom hunt, my father and I came across a pool of fairy shrimp. Neither of us had ever seen them before and we thought they were some sort of tadpole. Fortunately, this was back when I was in highschool, so we took a few from the pool (this was before phone had good cameras) and took them in to my biology teach who was equally as shocked and perplexed as to what they were. He did some research and was able to finally identify them for us! It was so amazing to find something so rare that three individuals (two people that were well into their late 40s at the time) had never seen before and even when I tell people about them today, rarely do people even believe me lol! Great video!

[ryananderson]

You may have skimmed over it briefly, but the line “Hang out with people who allow you to see things that you don’t see” really resonates with me.

[kbjerke]

I had no idea these unique creatures existed! Thanks, Adam!

[mupi]

When I was a kid in the mid-60s and lived next to a woods in central Indiana, I always looked forward to the earliest spring adventure. I vividly remember one time coming across a little, what I thought was, a hole in the ground full of water. It was no larger than 2 feet in diameter. As I stared at the setting, hoping to see something, perhaps a wood frog, I was startled in disbelief, seeing what looked like some shrimp. I went back to that spot over a few days and marveled at these tiny creatures. I tried to replicate that discovery the following late winter, early spring years, but I never saw them again. Thanks for sharing your discovery. It brought back some very happy memories for me.

[Jacob-yglz]

Temporary ponds are always such an interesting ecosystem. It's amazing how fish being absent allows so many creatures, like fairy shrimp and amphibians, to eek out a living.

[joeymartin]

This brought back memories of my childhood watching these shrimp in a little pond in the woods that dried up every summer. Thanks 😊

[marshallsnyder]

My wife and I were out just a few days ago looking at a few of these pools in a forest we had never visited before. We were both wondering what life exists in these pools, because it seemed like the life would have to be pretty adapted to the amount of tannins and lack of oxygen in them. Learning about these shrimp is absolutely fascinating. Thanks for another great video and invitation to exploration.

[steveelder]

these critters live in ponds way up in the coastal redwoods too. the platforms of tree debris up in the tops actually have ponds up in them that have specialized species like shrimp and frogs and salamanders that never see the ground. pretty cool.

[Joseph-bscl]

Thank you Adam!

I have lived in Western Pennsylvania for more than 65 years. I have learned so much from watching your extremely informative videos about wildlife I never knew existed in Pennsylvania.

[CeciliaLee]

Really amazing, Adam! I had these types of shrimp when I was little. A small hand-sized tank with sand, and they were easily forgotten over time. When summer arrived, the rain transformed it into a new small world. Some days later, I noticed 6 to 10 shrimps in the small tank and simply observed their life cycle. It was incredibly beautiful, peaceful, and lovely. Thank you for reminding me of these memories.

[brylorbs]

I was about ten when I came across some of these in the shallow, tree filled pond in my back yard in CT (not a vernal pool). I thought someone had released their pet sea-monkeys! I went home and checked my Golden Guide Book Of Pond Life (yes, I was "that kid" :-) ) and identified them as ferry shrimp. In all the years we lived there (1965-1985) I never saw them again. Thank you Adam for another wonderful video. You are a national treasure!

[sandythompson]

You always teach us such amazing things and I'm so grateful and proud of you. So glad there are men like you in this world ❤

[bennyskim]

This channel is amazing. This feels like a modern Carl Sagan type episode, really all your videos are so full of vital information, I think this will all age very well. On the topic of the video: It's crazy that eggs and seeds are basically the same thing!

[najakwarkle]

Had the blessing of running carefree in the woods as a child. I saw these and many more wonderous things. Ecosystems are wonderful curiosities that give and give. This was wonderfully written and delivered. Nice work!

[terryqueen]

That's the most awesome thing I think I've ever heard of that resides in the woods. I have spent many many many days and nights in the woods all over the United States and especially on the East Coast but I have never thought to look in those pools. Absolutely awesome! Thanks Adam, I love it when I learn at least one thing a day. Stay vigilant my friend!

[skunkgrl]

so, so, so glad these creatures are getting the attention they deserve, I adore fairy shrimp, they're so magical and amazing, thank you!

[johnjohnson]

Thanks Adam, I can't immagine how much time and effort it takes to produce such stunning videos. I appreciate the extra effort to teach about the nocturnal activity of these creatures. Your photography skills are amazing and so is your enthusiasm!

[ricksanchez]

I grew up in the woods just as soon as the school bus dropped me off, in South East Ohio. This is a new one on me. Thanks Adam

[vikkirountoit]

I'm glad you did not post this on April 1. I would not have believed you. As it is, I'm shocked I never noticed them before and I'm excited to go out and look for them! Nature is amazing!

[AfroRyan]

I used to really enjoy keeping their cousins as pets; brine shrimp [sea monkeys] are easy to take care of and fun to watch. Fairy shrimp are also fun to keep as pets but they aren't quite as common in the pet market.