California Peppermint Shrimp

The peppermint shrimp hides in tight places during the day where they are safe from hungry fish, and come out at night to eat when they can’t be seen. They will eat plants, or little animals, as they crawl around the docks and pilings of the harbor. Some fish and animals have made friends with these shrimp, and let them clean what might be growing on them. Shrimp, like every animal, are an important part of the harbor community because they clean other animals. Did you know shrimp are related to insects? Imagine this shrimp with wings--they would look a lot like butterflies or grasshoppers.