Critters





Although most vernal pool animals are small, their complex food webs sustain many larger species of birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Most of the critters in vernal pools are native to California and many survive only in vernal pools. We know little about them and less than half have been named.

Algae

Most Algae, but not all, are considered plants. They live in water and come in many shapes, sizes, & colors. Algae get energy from sunlight.
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Bacteria

Bacteria are black or clear unless you stain them with special dyes to see them better.  Bacteria are made up of one cell.  It can...
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Detritus

Detritus is all the dead stuff that sinks to the bottom of a vernal pool.  It contains pieces of dead plants, dead animals and animal...
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Protozoa

Protozoa are single-celled animals that come in many shapes and sizes.  The most common shapes are round, oval, bell-shaped and
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Rotifers

Rotifers are the smallest animals.  Their outer coat looks like clear glass.  Sometimes this glassy coat is covered with spines or
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Clam Shrimp

A Clam Shrimp looks like a small clam.  Two shells cover its body.  Between the shells you can see two body sections below the head. ...
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Copepods

There are many different species of Copepods.  Few of the species in vernal pools have been named.  You are most likely to spot the
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Fairy Shrimp

Fairy Shrimp are pale-colored (normally gray-white) and transparent.  They have a long, narrow body with 11 pairs of paddle-like legs. 
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Seed Shrimp

Many different species of Seed Shrimp live in vernal pools.  They come in many colors.  They have a single eye.  The body of a Seed...
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