Krill

Hello from down deep! My name is Krill, and I am a tiny creature that lives in the big, cold ocean. If you saw me, you might think I look a little bit like a shrimp. I have a very special secret that I want to share with you. When it gets dark, I can glow! My body has the amazing ability to light up the water all around me. This special glowing power is called bioluminescence. It is like having a tiny, living flashlight with me wherever I go in the deep, dark sea.

I am never lonely because I live with my big, big family. We all stay together in a huge group called a swarm. Our swarm is not just big, it is gigantic! There are millions and millions of other krill swimming right beside me. Our family is so enormous that you could even see our swarm from way up in space. Every day, we have a routine to stay safe. During the daytime, we hide deep in the water where it is dark and hard for other animals to find us. When night comes, we all swim up to the surface together. That is when it is time for us to eat our dinner in the moonlight.

My job in the ocean is super important, because I am a tasty snack for lots of bigger animals. I am a big part of the ocean’s food chain. Some of the animals that eat me are the biggest in the world, like the giant blue whales. They scoop up thousands of us in one big gulp! Other animals like penguins and seals also count on me for their meals. But what do I eat? I eat tiny ocean plants called phytoplankton. They are so small you can barely see them. To catch them, I use my front legs like a little basket, scooping up the phytoplankton from the water as I swim. It is how I get all my energy to swim and glow.

Even though I am very small, I am proud of my role in the ocean. My journey is all about helping to keep the biggest animals on Earth healthy and strong. I may be just one tiny krill, but together with my giant family, we make a huge difference. My story shows that every single creature, no matter its size, has an important part to play in keeping our amazing world in balance. My kind continues to be a super snack that powers the entire ocean.