Krill

This is an example of a type of zooplankton known as a krill. These tiny shrimplike animals (2-5 centimeters long) are a vital food source for Antarctic marine animals, including certain types of whales, penguins, fish, and seabirds. And what do krill eat? They feed on diatoms (a type of phytoplankton). The scientists on the Polar Dukecollected krill in nets, then placed them in buckets or holding tanks for further study. I liked to peer in the buckets and watch the krill moving around--hundreds of little pink curlicues with big black eyes.--Vicki Johns

Source: Davis Jr., Richard A. Oceanography: An Introduction to the Marine Environment. Dubuque, Iowa: William C. Brown, 1987.

Photo by Dr. Walker O. Smith, University of Tennessee, Knoxville