
Imagine a tiny, see-through crustacean that resembles a mix between a centipede and a horseshoe crab, complete with countless wriggling legs. While they may not be winning any beauty pageants, triops are fascinating creatures. The genus Triops has existed for roughly 300 million years—surpassing even the T. Rex by about 200 million years—earning them the title of the oldest known animals on Earth. Here are some intriguing details about these hardy beings.
1. TRIOPS ARE KNOWN AS "LIVING FOSSILS," BUT THAT TERM ISN'T ENTIRELY ACCURATE.
Often referred to as tadpole shrimp, they look almost identical to their ancient fossilized relatives. However, looks can be misleading. Recent studies reveal that their DNA and reproductive methods are continuously changing.
2. THEY HAVE MULTIPLE METHODS OF REPRODUCTION.
Beyond sexual reproduction, some eggs can develop without being fertilized. Certain triops are hermaphrodites, meaning a single egg can give rise to an entire population. It’s no surprise they’ve endured for millions of years.
3. THERE ARE OVER A DOZEN SPECIES OF TRIOPS.
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These creatures inhabit temporary water bodies like ponds, pools, and puddles worldwide. Triops existed before the fragmentation of the last supercontinent, which is why they’re found on every continent except Antarctica. Triops longicaudatus, distinguished by its long tail, thrives across most of North America, excluding colder areas. Triops newberryi favors the temperate climates of the Pacific Northwest and parts of California. Triops granarius is widespread in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. Triops Australiensis, as the name suggests, is native to Australia. Triops cancriformis, the oldest species, originates from Europe, the Middle East, and India, and is classified as endangered in the UK.
4. THE NAME TRIOPS TRANSLATES TO "THREE EYES" IN GREEK.
They Might Be Giants even composed a song about this unique trait. Join in with the kids and sing:
Two eyes on a faceAre usually enoughBut triops has gotOne that looks upAnd one that looks aroundAnd one to keep an eyeOn the other pair of guysTriops has three eyes
5. THEY CAN POSSESS UP TO 140 LEGS, EACH WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS.
Their legs are far more versatile than just aiding in movement. Some serve as sensory antennae to locate food, while others generate water currents to guide food toward their mouths. Female triops have specialized leg segments for carrying eggs. Certain species even have lobe or leaf-like extensions on their legs that function like gills, enabling them to breathe underwater.
6. THEY HAVE A HUGE APPETITE—EVEN FOR EACH OTHER.
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Triops consume a wide range of foods, from mosquito larvae and aquatic plants to small invertebrates—and, surprisingly, other triops. To fuel their rapid growth, larger triops will cannibalize smaller ones when food is scarce. In habitats that are constantly at risk of drying up, eating voraciously ensures they grow and reproduce before it’s too late.
7. THEIR RAPID GROWTH CAN BE FATAL.
Many triops reach adulthood in just one to two weeks, but their exoskeletons don’t keep pace. This forces them to molt frequently as they outgrow their shells. For young triops, molting happens almost daily, and it’s a perilous process: failing to shed their old exoskeleton can result in death.
8. TRIOPS EGGS CAN REMAIN DORMANT FOR DECADES BEFORE HATCHING IN WATER.
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They accomplish this by producing cysts, or resting eggs, which have a unique structure that shields them from extreme temperatures, drought, and even radiation. These cysts enable triops to colonize new areas by traveling via unusual methods, such as inside migrating birds or carried in the feet and droppings of animals that visit their watery habitats.
9. THEY CAN ENDURE OUTER SPACE CONDITIONS FOR UP TO 18 MONTHS.
Experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) have demonstrated their resilience. This discovery inspired a NASA high school project last year, which sent Triops Longicaudatus back to the ISS to determine if they could be cultivated in space as a potential high-protein food source for astronauts on extended missions.
10. FASCINATED? YOU CAN OWN YOUR OWN TRIOPS!
A variety of triops starter kits are available for purchase. These kits are low-maintenance, as triops typically live for just 1–3 months (or even less if they resort to cannibalism). Once a batch dies, you can dry the tank’s soil or sand and reintroduce it to fresh water. If resting eggs are present, with the right conditions, a new generation of triops will soon emerge.