Salp facts for kids
A salp is an amazing ocean creature that looks a bit like a tiny, clear barrel. It is a type of animal called a tunicate, and it floats freely in the ocean as part of the plankton.
Quick facts for kids Salp or Salps |
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| A chain of salps near the surface in the Red Sea | |
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Salpida
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Salpidae
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Contents
What are Salps?
Salps are small, clear animals that live in the ocean. They are often shaped like a barrel. They are part of the plankton, which means they drift with the ocean currents.
How Salps Move and Eat
Salps move by squeezing their bodies. This action pumps water through them. It's like a natural jet propulsion system! This way of moving is one of the most efficient in the animal kingdom.
As they pump water, salps also filter tiny plants from the water. These tiny plants are called phytoplankton. Salps eat these plants to get their energy.
Where Do Salps Live?
You can find salps in all the world's oceans. They are especially common in the Southern Ocean, which is near Antarctica. In these cold waters, salps can form huge groups called swarms. These swarms are often found deep in the ocean. Sometimes, there are even more salps than krill in these areas.
Salps: Not Jellyfish!
Even though salps might look a bit like jellyfish because they are simple and clear, they are actually very different. Salps are chordates. This means they have a special nerve cord along their back. This makes them related to vertebrates, which are animals with a backbone. Jellyfish, on the other hand, are not chordates.
Images for kids
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Pegea confederata on a 1995 stamp from Azerbaijan
See also
In Spanish: Sálpidos para niños
