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Habitat

provided by EOL authors
Triops occur in vernal pools. These pools must last for at least 2 weeks for the Triops to become fully adult. The pools often occur in deserts, such as the Outback Desert in Australia where Triops australiensis makes its home.

Triop (Tadpole Shrimp)

provided by EOL authors

The Triop, or Tadpole shrimp is a theoretically immortal creature. When in water, it behaves normally, swimming and eating, but during periods of drought, it shrinks to an "egg", a nonmoving, living ball. It can survive this way for five years, without moving or eating at all. When water returns, it slowly grows back into it's normal forrm. These cruestaceans are commercially sold as "instant pets" much as Brine Shrimp(Artemia Salina) are sold as "Sea Monkeys"

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marinebiologistrene
bibliographic citation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triop
author
Rene Noam (UnderTheSea)
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