Skeleton Shrimp Use 18 Appendages to Feed, Fight and ... Frolic | Deep Look

On first impression, skeleton shrimp anatomy is confusing. These crustaceans use a funky assortment of body parts to move around like inchworms, feed on bits of sea garbage, stage boxing matches, and make lots of clingy babies.
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The striking bodies of skeleton shrimp are gangly and ridiculously elongated. These omnivores constantly sieve food particles or small organisms from the water by waving their bodies back and forth, using comb-like filters on their shorter antennae. Most of the time, they are detritivores, helping break down dead organic matter further into nutrients for smaller animals. They also play another important ecological role in the food chain as tasty morsels for fish and crabs.
Males are much larger than females and frequently fight other males for access to mates. Each male has two pairs of claws called gnathopods, the larger of which are used to box each other. Gnathopods can be lethal, and can be used to split an opponent in half. Researchers are investigating whether or not some skeleton shrimp species deliver venom in these fights through tiny pores in the tips of the claws.
Females sometimes kill the males after mating, using their gnathopods. Females will then aggressively guard their brood pouches, which can contain hundreds of fertilized eggs. Hatchlings resemble miniature adults, and often cling to their parents after hatching. They mature rapidly, molting as often as once every week. Maturity can take a few weeks to months, depending on environmental conditions.
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--- Where do skeleton shrimp live?
Skeleton shrimp live only in saltwater, and are found in oceans worldwide, usually near coastlines.
--- Are skeleton shrimp invasive species?
Some species of skeleton shrimp, like the Japanese skeleton shrimp (Caprella mutica), are considered invasive species in non-native waters, but so far, researchers have not discovered any significant negative (or positive) effect from their presence in the ecosystems they invade. One possible effect could be that an invasive species of skeleton shrimp (if it is larger like the Japanese skeleton shrimp) may displace a smaller native species of skeleton shrimp.
--- Do skeleton shrimp camouflage themselves?
The tiny, slender, elongated bodies of skeleton shrimp help them blend in with whatever they are grabbing on to - things like algae, seagrass, or hydroids.
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---+ Find additional resources and a transcript on KQED Science:
www.kqed.org/science/1977175/...
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---+ More great Deep Look episodes:
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#skeletonshrimp #iamgroot #deeplook

[@downingbots]

These shrimps look like what I would create in the Spore game when I'm lazy: a thin tube with a bunch of technically useful appendages

[@junminh5793]

what is spore game?

[@tend0X]

@@junminh5793 it’s a game where you make an alien and you try to evolve it to take over galaxies

[@Nuts2Big]

Wow i almost forgot that game existed and i watched multiple youtubers play it lol

[@lwkey2452]

Woah I didn't know people still play that game

[@Eddierockification]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers Spore, I still play it every once and a while

[@graphite2786]

About 4 years ago we had an absolute plague of these at a dock where we dive. The mooring ropes were literally writhing and pulsing with millions of skeleton shrimp. It was amazing and disturbing at the same time!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Whoah!

[@graphite2786]

@@KQEDDeepLook they may have been Caprella mutica, an invasive species. But the amazing thing was when we went for a night dive, we saw at least 50 seahorse munching into them! Of course I didn't bring my camera.....The following year we went back, with macro lenses, strobes, the works ----no Caprella. Not one. sigh

[@hiddenguy67]

@@graphite2786 ok

[@samhaines8228]

Fascinating! (and creepy) Figures though: these encounters arise when you least expect, but are seldom found when sought after.

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Words cannot describe how much I appreciate this channel and everyone involved.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you Cerolean!

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@@KQEDDeepLook thank you deep look 💝

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@@KQEDDeepLook Thank you Deep Looks!

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Nice medal pfp

[@litrim1285]

So tiny. And yet, they can do everything. Nature truly is amazing.

[@plum.phobia]

not even just nature, just *life* in general-the amount and complexities of biological/chemical processes is nothing short of phenomenal

[@varunk6633]

I simply cannot neglect when i see notifications from this channel.

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Hey that rude

[@Vivian-eo3qc]

it's as shrimple as that

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I have been watching this channel since high school. I’m 25 and I still get just as hyped up when you guys post content. Never stop!❤️

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Nice! You just made our day, Noel :) #inspo

[@makaylakraus1897]

I absolutely love how close up you can get to these tiny guys to show us all what's going on in the world that we might not see otherwise!! These guys are so cool!

[@DavidsDinosaur]

the skeleton shrimp was like, ''you know what? i want legs for walking eating sleeping breathing swimming looking at things feeling things..'' the other animals: *visible confusion*. anouther chill and wonderful video about the cool creatures of earth! thank you deeplook!

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This channel is the best. It helped me score 100% in my Biology exam. Love the team!! ❤️

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Congrats on your exam!

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Amazing!

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@@macar0n. to do it

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Congratulations from Sri Lanka.

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This channel is *so* underrated. The production, music and choice of topics is simply amazing.

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indeed....!

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Can't agree more

[@PushyPawn]

@@aleksitjvladica. Sorry I missed your 6th birthday party. Instead of trying to make a game about "evolution", try to evolve into a normal human being first.

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When a swiss army knife gains life

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Sus

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@@hiddenguy67 Fun fact: the scientific name of pigs has Sus on It

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[@abdulstudio88]

Didn't know about these creatures until now. Thank you. Your video quality is just top notch.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@NewMessage]

Sometimes it's good to be 'all hands' on a first date.

[@carto4028]

I persuing a career in permaculture farming and while i may never encounter skeleton shrimp on my farm, to learn about a lifeform that i know nothing about never ceases to facinate me. Earth really is the most intresting planet this side of the milky way.

[@ahldrenebaes1820]

I will always appreciate living organisms❤️❤️

[@TheJokzer]

3:45 "They are Detroitovores. Which is a fancy way of saying they eat little bits of dead stuff" Sounds accurate

[@seanc6128]

A three "f"s joke, good one Deep Look. I lol'd.

[@AphidKirby]

Absolutely ADORE Skelton Shrimp they inch just like inchworms!!! underwater inchworms! with claws! Really wonderful footage here! thank you so much for making these!

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The quality that this channel gives to us is amazing The way they explain it and the scenes they recorded is always spot on Thank you.

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I literally can't get enough of your videos! The sound effects are so hilarious when one got socked in the gob! I've gotten over so many ridiculous fears I've harbored from watching Deep look

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I’m so glad this channel has continued to thrive over the years, I’ve been a subscriber since I was 14-15. I’m 22 now.

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Really wished that this channel upload a video everyday the quality is so high and love the voice of this person

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One of the best things why I so loved this channel because it shows more about science and I'm a science fanatic. Thank you so much #DeepLook keep up the good work and more power!! 👏👏👏😘😘😘😘😘

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Our pleasure Erikka!

[@BlueKyuubi64]

I've never heard of these shrimp before and I watch loads of marine documentaries. Thank you for this video. What cool creatures

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Our pleasure!

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This channel is such a blessing. I would never thought about seeing these stuff in such details and the narrative is so soothing and on point! Ty Deep Look!

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Easily my favorite channel on KZbin. Every video is simply fascinating.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Happy to hear that!

[@markjade3587]

this is why i love this channel, been following it for years, ive never even knew this creature existed, this is literally first time hearing or even knowing their existance, and thanks to them, im already familiar with what this appendage do, damn..... im seriously in awe of finding out about this creature... oh my gosh, i love it so much!!!

[@mekatronikachmadi5472]

so cute,, I wonder how their ancestor species looks like,,

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I've waited this for days,thank you guys for all the stuff

[@burnished]

These guys are dangerously cute, I wish I could find and watch them myself.

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I love this channel so much, glad I stuck around! 💕

[@footfault1941]

Never ever seen a thing like this! Eerie & at the same time fascinating! A great footage more than usual. Many thanks!

[@UnliRide]

The scientist that discovered it failed to name it "wacky waving inflatable tube shrimp".

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Absolutely wild. Thought i knew a fair bit about amphipods! Ty for the footage

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I seriously love this channel.

[@becausehelivees4672]

these videos teach us about the imoprtance of sea water ecology or sea bed ecology. they help us understand the importance of always keeping into account the safetiness of chemical balance of these bodies of water for these little ones. thanks for giving us not only the knowledge but moreso the awareness. God bless.

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awsome vid guys, always appreciated

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I hope we get a Pokemon based on this, and make it Water/Ghost.

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isnt Cursola closest to this?

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Its always the tiniest that are the most pugnacious!! Deep Look crew so worthy and them some of all accolades!💚

[@bobthegoat7090]

This was definitely one of my favorites. Skeleton shrimp are weird and wonderful!

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I love how you guys show animals I have never even heard of before! :)

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This's perfection This channel make the best videos ever

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Deep look never misses!

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Another great video, love learning new stuff from you all!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks!

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They look like moving sticks. Interesting. Thanks for sharing!

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That looks like something I would build in spore.

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i just love this channel!

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One of the best channel there is.

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Always the best quality. That's very comfortable for us to watch it

[@dog9660]

First time I saw these things was in a fish tank/aquarium in the Vancouver airport. They really creep me out for some reason even though I'm completely fin with basically any other sort of bug/insect type thing.

[@remmarr7508]

I really appreciate your work. Keep it up ❤

[@muskulpeasent]

It's like putting every kind of appendages on your Spore animal.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Not wrong.

[@oneshotme]

Enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up

[@jpchan3866]

The content is good as always! I wonder, do they eat mosquito eggs? I hope they do so.

[@mattstyles2498]

I love the clear ones. They look like spooky ghosts

[@BloodoperaBlackvomit]

This is a great youtube channel. Gratz!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Glad you enjoy it!

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This channel is on par with BBC nature documentaries if not better! Can't skip a notification unnoticed

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Keep up the good work , guys!

[@blardomodica]

Seriously, the last one bowing repeatedly... like "thank you for your appreciation"!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

It did!

[@callystarizka-tata7892]

I always love skeleton shrimps. Now episode is live:)

[@thespacecowboy71]

2:39 is it just me or was that interaction kind of adorable 😭

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This was awesome! And this was from their Alameda beach trip 💜💜

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This music was absolutly perfect!

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Im so glad i found this channel

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Welcome!

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Eren? Is that you?

[@shaunthomas94]

Awesome vid keep up the good work and making me smile!💙💜

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you! Will do Shaun!

[@shaunthomas94]

@@KQEDDeepLook ❤

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I always eagerly wait for your videos 🤩😁

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you so much Rani😀

[@vincentboi7926]

Ayyyyy new upload

[@anglure3617]

I looove skeleton shrimp, it's so entertaining that they have all those different limbs

[@SailorPupitar]

Forgot how gnarly these lads are, like an aquatic caterpillar mantis

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Here we go, new show to watch😊

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This channel it's a treasure for the resident on planet earth

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Deep look always finds a way to make people's day happier, he has inspired me to start my own channel😭❤️

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I always excited to see new eps

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Yes these videos alway make my day thank you I needled this

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I love this videos, really love this videos

[@dianrahmawati583]

Wow, i'm only watching it today, but i've been waiting for it ever since deep look announced will upload this video, and i am so satisfied, thank you deep look. Oyeah i think they're like looper caterpillars 😄

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you!

[@monilcharola6873]

Your Videos are the best !!!!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Glad you like them!

[@CrankyPantss]

Very interesting, as always.

[@hansel2001]

Amazing video. The definitive video of skeleton shrimp on all of the internet...

[@ultraviolet9677]

Hi Deep Look, I hope you can notice this. Can you make about a apple snail laying eggs cycle, I've always been curious about them since they're so many pinkish eggs here in our house. I love all your videos, so informative ❤️❤️

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appreciate the details in the description ❤️❤️❤️

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Any time!

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Yessss i missed this voice!

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The real skinny legends

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This is so cool!!

[@FatedStar61]

I would love to see a deep look into the banana slugs of CA!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

You are in luck, Aaron - we did an episode on them in our first season! kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3nZdISJfMahgMk

[@JessHull]

I used to have a small colony of these that hitch hiked on some live rock in my reef tank. They used fight each other for the ideal spot in the current. They eventually died off one by one over about 6 months. Wish I still had them..

[@GeolyteGM]

4:14 T-Posing while saying Among Us

[@tracybowling97]

So many creatures to learn about. So much fun to be had!

[@thanos5416]

I always used to see ur videos in 720 .....bcoz thats the speciality of ur videos..hats off to u🤗from India

[@pumpkinhills7611]

They look so cute and silly while they swim.. Wobble? around

[@thinkbiology9064]

Love the video 😍

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Gracias!

[@reionj8816]

They are so small yet aggressive hahaha hah thanks for the info deep look😁👍🏻

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks for watching!

[@sgt.railgungaming1793]

Satisfying and informative this is amazing

[@Herowebcomics]

Wow! These shrimp are gangster! Almost as much as pistol and mantis shrimp!

[@LazyTallGuy]

They remind me of those air things you see at grand openings, the tall skinny things that flail with the wind haha.

[@Ahooper11]

Best channel