Author: Ben Thomsen

Daphnia are planktonic creatures that are classified as crustaceans like crabs, lobsters, and crayfish! They are small in size around 0.2 mm-6.0 mm and are aquatic planktonic crustaceans which are commonly called water fleas. They come under the category of consumers that are typically found in freshwater environments. As secondary consumers, they play an important…

Flatworms are the types of worms that belong to the Phylum Platyhelminthes. A commonly known flatworm is a tapeworm. They are small, slimy creatures with a flat body that can be found in a variety of habitats all over the world. While they may not look like much, flatworms play an important role in the…

Sea squirts are filter feeders that consume plankton and detritus. They play an important role in the ocean food web by removing these particles from the water column and providing a nutritious meal for many other animals. Sea squirts are opportunistic feeders that will eat anything they can get. In the wild, they mainly eat…

Clams are a type of bivalve mollusk that lives in freshwater or saltwater. Clams are filter feeders, meaning they strain small food particles from the water around them using their gills. Clams are predominantly primary consumers because they mostly eat plant material, such as phytoplankton and pant detritus floating around in the water. However, they…

Octopuses are among the most intelligent animals on the planet. They are capable of learning quickly and solving complex problems. Octopuses are also highly aggressive, cannibalistic, and curious. Octopuses are carnivorous animals, which means that they only eat meat. They are not omnivores, but predators that exclusively hunt other animals, including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.…

Squid are a type of cephalopod, which is a soft-bodied, predatory animal that includes octopuses and cuttlefish. Squid are fast-swimming predators that hunt fish, shrimp, and other small marine animals for food but are themselves prey for larger squids, Albatrosses, sperm whales and sharks. Squid are predators that hunt and kill other animals for food.…

Crabs and lobsters belong to a group called crustaceans, often referred to as the “insects of the ocean”1, so it is understandable that they might be confused as true insects. Although crabs and lobsters might look like scorpions or spiders they are actually more related to insects such as moths and beetles. Phylogenetically crustaceans and…

Bristle worms are common invertebrates that live in everything from saltwater aquariums to soil and wood. They get their name from the bristles that cover their bodies and help them to eat, feel, and move. Bristle worms are indeed decomposers that function as detritivores and scavengers. Bristle worms are a diverse group of organisms. While…