These Acrobatic Beach Hoppers Shred All Night Long | Deep Look

As the sun sets, hordes of tiny crustaceans called beach hoppers -- also known as sand hoppers -- emerge from underground burrows to frolic and feast. They eat so much decaying seaweed and other beach wrack that by morning all that’s left are ghostly outlines in the sand.
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DEEP LOOK is an ultra-HD (4K) short video series created by KQED San Francisco and presented by PBS Digital Studios. See the unseen at the very edge of our visible world. Explore big scientific mysteries by going incredibly small.
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Night falls, and the beaches come alive with sand hoppers - hungry, jumping shrimp-like creatures that look a lot like giant translucent fleas. No, it’s not a horror movie, and these animals “don’t bite or suck your blood. They’re much more than fleas,” says Jenny Dugan of the Marine Science Institute at UC Santa Barbara. Through her research on sandy beach ecology, Dugan has spent years developing a respect for beach hoppers and their under-appreciated ecological role.
The small crustaceans, sometimes as large as two inches, are remarkably in tune with the tides. The mature adult beach hoppers only emerge from their burrows at night when the tide is retreating - which is the best time to find fresh kelp, and less of a risk being seen by predators.
Researchers refer to these animals as shredders because they do the necessary work of breaking down and recycling nutrients in beach wrack and kelp, the first step in sending nutrients into the food chain. The presence of sustainable populations of beach hoppers is an indicator of the overall health of a sandy beach ecosystem.
--- Where do beach hoppers live?
Beach hoppers - also known as sand hoppers - live on sandy beaches in subtropical and temperate zones all over the world. North and South America, Europe, Africa, New Zealand and Australia all have a variety of native species of beach hoppers. On beaches with large amounts of kelp, seagrass and seaweeds washing ashore, you are bound to find sand hoppers too.
--- Do beach hoppers bite people?
No. Beach hoppers do not bite! They might look like a giant flea, but they aren’t fleas. They are a type of crustacean. Their favorite food is kelp, but they will eat anything that makes up beach wrack - the piles of organic matter that wash ashore on sandy beaches.
--- How do beach hoppers know where they are going?
Research indicates that some species of beach hoppers use cues from the moon and the sun to orient themselves, and to stay in sync with the ebb and flow cycles of the tides.
---+ Find additional resources and a transcript on KQED Science:
www.kqed.org/science/1972559/...
---+ More great Deep Look episodes:
The Snail-Smashing, Fish-Spearing, Eye-Popping Mantis Shrimp
• The Snail-Smashing, Fi...
California Floater Mussels Take Fish For an Epic Joyride
• California Floater Mus...
---+ Shoutout!
🏆Congratulations🏆 to the following 5 fans on our Deep Look Community Tab for identifying the parts of the body the beach hopper use to jump - the uropods - abdominal appendages and parts of their tail.
// Δ V S T I N //
Sourabh Kamat
Jared Blake
AngryFox07
sushil singh
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#beachhopper #sandhopper #deeplook

[@fjoa123]

They eat kelp. "Aww" Sometimes they eat each other. "Jesus!"

[@KouNagai]

ew

[@vivanpaull]

My internal dialogue while watching this: >"Omg they're so cute I want to feed them kelp" >"Never mind."

[@bluesap7318]

So cute UwU

[@bosnakedisniksic]

Sometimes they eat you. That's why you don't go camping on the beach near the water with minimal cover. They're called Sand Fleas for more than just their acrobatics 🤣

[@KQEDDeepLook]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@cornzzn]

"sometimes they even eat each other" well that escalated quickly

[@KQEDDeepLook]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@Alternative117]

@@KQEDDeepLook \(●~●)/

[@mr.technicalisolate9188]

@@KQEDDeepLook ┻┻︵¯\(ツ)/¯︵┻┻

[@quitlife9279]

What's the big deal? Don't we all?

[@deadman350]

ಠಿ_ಠಿ

[@Zaxares]

I have mixed feelings about this video. On the one hand, I finally know what are those tiny little bumps I feel against my legs when I walk on the beach at night. On the other hand, I finally know what are those tiny little bumps I feel against my legs when I walk on the beach at night.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Well said!

[@Zaxares]

@Hand Grabbing Fruits I did indeed. ;) If you're still feeling puzzled, superimpose the thought "Cool! I learned something new!" over the first sentence, and the thought "GAH! I'm covered in bugs!" over the second sentence.

[@jashanestone]

Whenever I step in the water and I step on anything I'm done "swimming" for the summer 🤣🤣🤣

[@beachbomb]

@@jashanestone that's why pools are superior

[@raccoonchild]

@@beachbomb This comment is actually so depressing.

[@NewMessage]

And this is why I avoid shadowy blobs whenever I can. Well, not the ONLY reason, but...

[@interstellar0001]

I feel that they’d taste like miniature shrimp...

[@ghostnoodle9721]

Politicians and corporate think tanks terrify me aswell

[@atinygoldendeer2045]

I can't believe you're one of the reasons I don't freak out when I see bugs

[@ThePrufessa]

I can believe it

[@ThePrufessa]

@HT Liana Hrangate yes I can and stop liking your own comments

[@Al_Man9oori]

@@ThePrufessa oof

[@Al_Man9oori]

@HT Liana Hrangate that hit hard any comebacks ?

[@manbeard8678]

That's BS, but I believe it.

[@benn7639]

I love how your videos center on organisms that are often overlooked, ones that people might not consider interesting at a glance. There is always so much more to them than meets the eye

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you - that is definitely a rewarding part of creating these episodes.

[@Mali-pz2ng]

@@KQEDDeepLook hi I love your videos

[@bari2883]

Yes as I learn about organisms that I didn’t know existed.

[@MarsHock]

Their method of eyesight makes me afraid to sit down at the water's edge during a sunset. They might think I'm sea wrack and swarm all over me!

[@nunanagajugeo9499]

i was having a barbecue at a beach and they kept hopping into their deaths. i can confirm they cook like shrimps

[@LokiToxtrocity]

If they were 3 inches long or the size of your hand... Then you should panic.

[@pierrecurie]

@@LokiToxtrocity Well, if they keep hopping into their deaths, it might be free BBQ.

[@phoboss950]

don't fall a sleep on the beach...

[@fishyfishyfishy500akabs8]

@@nunanagajugeo9499 sounds delicious actually

[@Elidgggtfghhhg]

Imagine if humans could jump like that. Life would be weird.

[@johnmariedelacruz2800]

no life will be awesome!!!!!

[@nunanagajugeo9499]

u seen hancock?

[@trevoror8668]

Life for many would be spent in hospital lol

[@Nyax50Lopez]

So we flop while we jump

[@onetwocue]

Imagine if we ate each other like that.

[@Jartopia]

They're so cool!

[@cretaetjuju906]

They’re so cute!

[@nuvlae]

@@cretaetjuju906 until they eat each other lol

[@verce17]

I like your content. 🤭

[@SpringtailsUS]

cool to see you here ;)

[@yearight5303]

Yea. But not as cool as Jesus.

[@Sea_Noodle]

Them hopping in slow motion is so adorable. I just love how they dont stick the land at all

[@katwewe]

EXACTLY THERE JUST SO.... SO... AWWWWWW 🥺🥺🥺

[@marsbalaba9373]

"Oh they eat kelp.. how cute" *Proceeds to eating ech other "Wait a minute"

[@jackal2255]

Once again Deeplook, you've made a masterpiece

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Wow- high praise! I'll pass that on to the producer, Mike Seely.

[@cancerwoman7669]

@@KQEDDeepLook can you do plants again

[@CyclopsRat]

Beach Hoppers are so cool, they're terrestrial amphipods! And their compound eyes are cute as hell.

[@Ed_Crumbs]

It started out so wholesome! Small cute little critter hopping around searching for kelp.. Then suddenly, c a n n i b a l i s m

[@chickendrawsdogs3343]

"Deep in the night... ...the beach-hoppers are looking for some fun/love."

[@imioanne29]

Me at 1:20: Aww they look so cute chewing the kelp with their smol mouths. Me at 1:22: Aww naaaaaaawww

[@crispycheese2695]

Same

[@justabotatthings.1039]

in life theres no such thing as cute things but rather deceptions.

[@skmaurya8221]

1:20: C U T E INSECT S P O T T E D

[@pebble8978]

Same lol that escalated quickly

[@muhammadhidayat8595]

Yeah.. At first I thought this was like shrimp,, then nope they are more like mites

[@iamparitosh]

Finally the wait is over

[@deus_ex_machina_]

The production quality of this is just outstanding! The way the music shifts with narrative at 1:18, the beats synced with their hops, the slo-mo spectacle at 2:04 it's just *chef's kiss*

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks! Our music is written to match the picture, scored by Seth Samuel.

[@deus_ex_machina_]

@@KQEDDeepLook Music composed in-house? Good to see PBS funding going towards good talent.

[@SpencerKlouds]

I don't feel disgusted with anything they show, as long as they speak so Amazing. The documentary is Flawless😎

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks Justine!

[@katwewe]

IS IT JUST ME WHO FINDS THESE LITTLE GUYS ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!?

[@kessanglepcha7279]

I simply love this channel It's so entertaining yet so informative.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you very much!

[@boy638]

Let's be real, most of us find them adorable only after knowing they don't bite us humans.

[@indoorkite651]

Well thereay be some species that does. My grandfather told me a story about his basic training were they were standing in formation and some dude got bit/pinched by one. He smacked it, and killed it. The drill sergeant saw him move, and then it was game over. He made the Marine name him, and bury him. Then he asked if it was a regulation grave... You know 6 ft deep 8 ft long 4ft wide. It most certainly was not. so he had him dig a regulation grave in the sand, they then held a full funeral with honors for Gunny Sand Flea.

[@Akutukananu]

Wow !!! All for a flea!

[@vaslikcentenov7677]

I'm so amazed by how clear your shots of everything tiny things, It's so informative.

[@ryantres85]

They take "the floor is lava" to the next level

[@GZxuanChannel-nx9vi]

They Are SO-SMOL and SO-CUTE!!!

[@wammu8160]

Theyre adorable

[@retsubanires]

2:12 - Me at 3 in the morning 🤣

[@anask7668]

I love how every nature and wildlife channel I watch is promoting terra matter channel and those guys absolutely deserve it , Deep look, Animalogic, it's okay to be smart and terra matter are some of my top favs in this category

[@fariesz6786]

1:23 i swear everytime arthropods are munching on each other in a documentary the pizzicato strings go nuts

[@cherrygum_d1365]

the first thing I thought when I saw them I thought *oh my goodness it’s the land shrimp*

[@electracatforever3356]

LAND SHRIMP LAND SHRIMP

[@dragonballa5083]

“Wait bro! There’s enough kelp here for all of us!” 😫 “I WANT FLESH!” 😈

[@Kewpiepie]

I loved seeing the silhouettes of the wrack they ate. Really shows how quickly they can gobble it all up.

[@nostalgiachu]

I never knew beach hoppers were a thing! They're like the sow bugs of the beach! I love learning about new creatures I never even considered existing before. Life has evolved in so many interesting ways, to fill every tiny niche. Love it ^ ^

[@MrTaperecorder]

I love how cute those little hops are. So cute!

[@user-km5wf6sb3p]

This was so informative. I always wondered what those little creatures do.

[@SuspiciousDilo1120]

This is truly beautiful and watch them do backflips over the sand and watch them dance nature is truly great

[@TragoudistrosMPH]

3:36 that tucking in scene is quite adorable lol

[@JD-zp4vn]

The literal definition of "DO A FLIP"

[@MemeBee.]

What the dog doin

[@silent0089]

Grass hopper: Who are you? Beach hopper: I'm you but beach and jumps worse

[@progressjournal]

Theyre actually so cute up close! 🥺❤️

[@demosthenes995]

I always love the music in these videos. Your composer does an amazing job matching it to each set of footage!

[@iamparitosh]

Deep look never disappoints

[@lessdevon]

2:08 me when I bottle flip

[@Ikaro_roma]

I could watch videos like that for days

[@reionj8816]

Deep look is truly incredible, looking forward to future episodes.

[@northernlights9533]

Awwwwww they look so cute! Your videos are very good at keeping the viewers attention and interest peaked

[@Hellooutthewindow]

With deep look it’s always the same: I go to like a video only to discover I’ve already clicked like the last time I watched the video. I’m sure I’ll come back to this one too in a few months 😭😭

[@reconss5290]

The choice of the music is just priceless. I love it

[@murdergriim]

You know it's a good day when Deep Look uploads.

[@adenwills5953]

I can’t wait to “hop” on to the next video. This channel is a “high flyer” for me the learning never stops.

[@xanbabimoth7283]

Starting off my morning great ☺️❤️

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Enjoy Xanabi Moth!

[@tangytablets5150]

That slow-mo clip of the beach hoppers jumping in unison WAS breathtaking!

[@shngsam8777]

this video and others in deep look are really well made! love it! btw these beach hoppers looks and jump just like springtails

[@teainnit27]

1:40 Acrobatic beach hoppers memes be like: "me when I'm digging a foot deep hole: welcome to downtown coolsville"

[@Algormortis9]

Population... us!

[@sisitmae]

"Omg so cute!" 1 min later, when cannibalism happen "........should've watched longer"

[@md.rafiulqadrsiddiqui8217]

You're the best guide for me to learning any kind of species. Thank you very much 😊.

[@person5474]

thanks deep look :) because of your videos, you have helped me get over my phobias related to bugs. now i know the bugs i squish with a tissue are actually important parts of life.

[@SectionC970]

How come all the comments fit so perfect to the theme of the channel.

[@euphrica1938]

When ur first and don’t know what to say...

[@yelena4227]

Ur not first duhh

[@Jitatman]

Then shut up

[@SonnyBurnett02]

You don't have to say anything.

[@vaslikcentenov7677]

You just did.

[@euphrica1938]

Lmao

[@bahandikeanovalc.638]

I'm so thankful of this channel. It answers my wonders.

[@ridashaik9099]

Only time I come on KZbin to stimulate my geeky want to know about how our nature works, I see deep look and I click 🤍

[@am_ian_otaku461]

Wow im so early

[@shadywolf9724]

Same

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Welcome!

[@am_ian_otaku461]

@@KQEDDeepLook hii!! I love your channel💖, i have learned more about life here than i have at school😂

[@imioanne29]

I clicked as soon as the notif hit.

[@reallynooby206]

The way they hop and land is priceless

[@stromseven522]

The sound design is marvellous

[@labresin]

What a beautiful acrobat show

[@jayant4394]

Without a doubt my favorite channel about nature in youtube. Not only amazing quality but highly entertaining and epic narration.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Wow, thank you!

[@lisal8529]

Quite interesting. Every summer I visit the beach a couple of times, and collect bags of seaweed washed up on shore to use as fertilizer in my garden. I always find a whole bunch of these beach hoppers in the seaweed once I get it home and spread it out. I guess they just decay and become more healthy organic matter for the plants to absorb.

[@pamelapilling6996]

As always, thank you for uncovering another fascet of nature I didn't know I didn't know till I watched.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Glad you enjoyed it Pamela!

[@confuciuslola]

Love the sillynes and preserverence of nature

[@theminish8710]

So fun watching their acrobatics! Thanks for the quality content

[@Lfppfs]

Fascinating video, as always!

[@jamgano9793]

ohh so they are like springtails of the sea. awesome!

[@Oscar4u69]

all your episodes are fantastic, but this one has something else, it's beautiful. the cinematography and the score are on point. this is one of the best channels on existence

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you Rodrigo!

[@sheilabarron5532]

So Fasinating the creatures underground ✌💙

[@purrudence301]

First the fact that they jump like a professional acrobat, but totally fail the landing is HILARIOUS Second I honestly loved how they are just like a small tiny sand village living together peacefully, but then she said they feast upon one another, which totally ruined the image....Thanks (BTW keep up the good work LOVE your channel!!!)

[@sawyerc4087]

I get beyond excited when I see a new video out by Deep Look. Will you guys get sponsored for a Netflix series soon?? It would be my favorite show 🤣❤️

[@scintards]

That was really fascinating! Thankyou for a new understanding on these BeachHoppers :)

[@kimbratton9620]

Deep look this is really cool seeing all of these creatures and how they live!!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Great Kim!

[@faithentries]

I like how beachhoppers flail skyhigh at warp speed when they hop about & just hopelessly crash. 😂 Evolution is dope 👍

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks Philicia!

[@computer_goblin]

I absolutely love how hoppers spin when they jump. And then they just land into another hopper and are like "oh hi there!"

[@greob]

Amazing pictures, and great music!

[@tomhanxs]

Thank you mr beach hopper!

[@Didmyreseach]

I KNEW I WASNT TRIPPEN when I went to the beach and felt them jumping!!!! Woooow I’m STUNNED 🤩

[@SepsTArdJohn212]

I have known of Grasshopper Nothing prepares me for Sand hopper/Beach hopper Ngl, it's the first time I've seen those, even in KZbin. Let alone in real life. So, thank you Deep Look ❤️

[@akari_reipog]

Very Stunning cinematography *~*

[@hikawagetsbitches]

they look so adorable

[@ParkRyan123]

I love the narration!

[@69cheesyfries]

i love how before watching this video I had no idea these creatures existed solely to clean out the beach at night. 😂 the channel really serves it purpose, viewers get to learn about these cool animals that we didn't know about earlier but they turn out to be more important than we think. its so cool!

[@Avabees]

More inverts please! 👍 These guys are so cute

[@DJ5354]

Learnt something new once again! Great video

[@zdenshadowdragonbyzideodi8819]

You people really bring these creatures to life!

[@Crus0e]

The sound effects in this video are on point! well done

[@kevinkunkawin1694]

I used to saw these guys at beaches near my home. I used to hate them but now I LOVE them :⁠-⁠D

[@Athe__na]

The only thing I want to wake up to is entertaining videos about bugs 😊😊

[@ananya.a04]

It’s official - I’m terrified 😱 They are scary and mesmerising at the same time. Thank you Deep Look for telling me about this 👍🏻

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you Ananya.

[@callystarizka-tata7892]

Beach hoppers are great jumping

[@mts4651]

In my childhood i remember capturing this little cute thing so much nostaligia

[@Ikeneengameplays]

incredible creature i did not know it existed, thanks

[@LouigiVerona]

The soundtrack is incredible

[@weenisbuttacis7627]

theyre pretty cute with their big eyes