Zooplankton

What is Zooplankton?

Zooplankton are tiny, often microscopic animals that drift in the water column, feeding on phytoplankton or other small organisms. They are an essential part of the aquatic food web, acting as a primary food source for larger animals like fish and marine mammals.

Tiny Animals of the Water

Zooplankton are tiny animals that float in the water. They can be so small you need a microscope to see them, but some are bigger, like baby jellyfish. Zooplankton live near the surface of oceans, lakes, and rivers and are an important part of the food chain because many bigger animals eat them.

What Zooplankton Eat

Zooplankton eat phytoplankton (tiny plant-like organisms) and sometimes other smaller zooplankton. They drift with the water currents and rely on their environment to find food.

Importance to Food Chain

Zooplankton are a vital link in the food chain. They eat phytoplankton and then become food for larger creatures like fish, whales, and seabirds. Without zooplankton, many ocean animals would struggle to survive.

Examples of Zooplankton

• Tiny Crustaceans: Like copepods and krill.
• Baby Animals: Many fish, crabs, and jellyfish start their lives as zooplankton before growing bigger.
• Microscopic Creatures: Like foraminifera and tiny protozoa.

Where Zooplankton Live

Zooplankton float in the photic zone, where there’s enough light for phytoplankton to grow. Some zooplankton, like krill, can also migrate deeper into the water during the day to avoid predators and rise to the surface at night to feed.

How Zooplankton Affect You

Zooplankton play a big role in the aquatic ecosystem by keeping the food chain moving. Without them, fish and other animals that we eat or depend on wouldn’t have enough food. Learning about zooplankton helps us protect oceans, lakes, and rivers for future generations.

Protecting Zooplankton

Pollution, overfishing, and climate change can harm zooplankton and the animals that rely on them. Keeping water clean and reducing greenhouse gases helps protect zooplankton and the balance of life in aquatic ecosystems.