Krill

ocean · tiny animals · crustaceans

Shrimp-sized swimmers. Krill are small crustaceans that look like tiny shrimp and live only in the ocean. They're found in every ocean on Earth, from cold polar waters to warmer tropical seas.

Norwegian name means. The word 'krill' comes from a Norwegian word meaning 'small fry of fish.' Fishermen noticed these creatures swimming around so much that they named them after small fish.

Whale's favorite snack. Krill are absolutely crucial for ocean food chains. Huge whales, penguins, seals, and countless fish eat billions of krill every single day to survive.

Glow in the dark. Many krill can produce their own light through bioluminescence, creating a magical glow in the deep ocean. Scientists think they use this light to communicate with each other.

Most abundant creatures. Krill might be the most numerous animal on the planet by total weight. Trillions of them live in our oceans, making them incredibly important to ocean health.