Antarctic Krill

Overview

Antarctic krill is a small, shrimp-like crustacean that forms the foundation of the entire Antarctic food web, supporting whales, seals, penguins, and countless fish species. Despite its tiny individual size, its total biomass is estimated to be one of the largest of any animal species on Earth, gathering in massive swarms that can stretch for kilometers and be seen from space.

Appearance

It has a small, translucent, segmented body with large black eyes and bioluminescent organs along its underside that produce a faint greenish light. Its body is nearly transparent except for its digestive tract and eyes, which are visible through its shell.

Habitat & Distribution

The antarctic krill is found in arctic, ocean habitats.

Diet & Behavior

Diet: Herbivore — Plant-eating animals that graze or browse on grasses, leaves, and other vegetation, from tiny insects to giant elephants.

Antarctic krill gather in enormous swarms containing potentially millions of individuals, a behavior that offers some protection from predators through sheer numbers while also making the swarm an easy target for filter-feeding animals like baleen whales. During the harsh Antarctic winter, when food is scarce, krill can shrink their own body size and reduce their metabolism dramatically to survive on limited energy reserves.

Interesting Facts

• 1

  Antarctic krill swarms can be so massive they're visible from satellites in space.

• 2

  Its total biomass is estimated to be among the largest of any single animal species on Earth, despite each individual being only a few centimeters long.

• 3

  During long Antarctic winters, krill can actually shrink their own body size to survive on limited food.

• 4

  It has light-producing organs on its underside that create a faint greenish glow, a trait called bioluminescence.

• 5

  Nearly every major Antarctic predator, from whales to penguins to seals, depends directly or indirectly on krill for food.

Gallery

Antarctic Krill FAQs