Out of the few organisms that possess bioluminescent organs from which they emit light are the Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba) of the family Euphausiids. Their escape reaction is a rapid backward swim by flipping their back ends. The Antarctic Krill is native to the Southern Oceans, preferring to be in large schools while preying on minute phytoplankton cells through filter feeding. They may be the smallest swimming crustacean but also the largest Krill species that play an important role in the food chain. They come up at night to feed on planktons while during the day, hide in the cold depths of the ocean.
The Antarctic Krill has an overall length between 2”-2.4” (5-6 cm), body width of .2”-.28” (5-7 mm), body height of .2”-.28” (5-7 mm), and weight between .03-.07 oz (1-2 g). The typical lifespan of the Antarctic Krill is between 2-6 years.
Out of the few organisms that possess bioluminescent organs from which they emit light are the Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba) of the family Euphausiids. Their escape reaction is a rapid backward swim by flipping their back ends. The Antarctic Krill is native to the Southern Oceans, preferring to be in large schools while preying on minute phytoplankton cells through filter feeding. They may be the smallest swimming crustacean but also the largest Krill species that play an important role in the food chain. They come up at night to feed on planktons while during the day, hide in the cold depths of the ocean.
The Antarctic Krill has an overall length between 2”-2.4” (5-6 cm), body width of .2”-.28” (5-7 mm), body height of .2”-.28” (5-7 mm), and weight between .03-.07 oz (1-2 g). The typical lifespan of the Antarctic Krill is between 2-6 years.