Salp

ocean · plankton · jet propulsion · super efficient

Barrel-shaped body. Salps are see-through, tube-like creatures that look like little transparent barrels floating in the ocean. Their simple shape helps them move through water super efficiently.

Jet propulsion master. Salps are some of the best jet swimmers in the whole animal kingdom! They squeeze their gelatinous body to push water out behind them, which shoots them forward like a tiny underwater rocket.

Plankton filter feeders. Instead of hunting for food, salps let the ocean come to them. They strain water through special internal filters to catch and eat billions of tiny plants called phytoplankton.

Tunicate relative. Salps belong to a group called tunicates, which are distant cousins to fish and other animals with backbones. Even though they look super simple, they're actually pretty advanced creatures.