Plankton

What are Plankton?

Plankton are small, often microscopic organisms that drift or float in the water column, unable to swim against currents. Plankton include both phytoplankton (plants and algae that photosynthesize) and zooplankton (tiny animals), serving as the base of many aquatic food chains.

Examples of Filter Feeders That Rely on Plankton

Here are some examples of filter feeders that rely on plankton for food:

1. Blue Whales: The largest animals on Earth, blue whales have baleen plates in their mouths that act like a filter. They take in huge mouthfuls of water and push it out, trapping tiny plankton like krill to eat.
2. Oysters: These shellfish stay in one place and filter water through their bodies, trapping plankton and other tiny particles for food. By doing this, they also help keep the water clean.
3. Manta Rays: These large, graceful fish swim with their mouths open to collect plankton. They filter out the water through special structures in their mouths, leaving only the plankton to eat.
4. Krill: Small shrimp-like animals, krill are filter feeders themselves! They have small, feathery limbs that help them capture plankton as they swim through the water.
5. Flamingos: Surprisingly, flamingos are also filter feeders! They stir up mud and water with their beaks and use tiny hair-like structures to filter out plankton and small shrimp, which give them their pink color.