Field Notes: Tadpole Shrimp (Patreon)

When is a shrimp not a shrimp? When it’s a tadpole shrimp! We have an upcoming episode about tadpole shrimp from producer Josh Cassidy, and they’re not tadpoles, either. These tiny crustaceans called Triops live in the rice fields of California, where their eggs can spend years –– even decades –– frozen in time, waiting to hatch.

For this episode, Josh got his feet wet filming in rice fields and worked closely with Ian Grettenberger, an integrative pest management researcher at UC Davis.

When rice growers flood their fields, they create the perfect conditions for hordes of these ravenous creatures to awaken.

Producer Josh Cassidy’s camera set up for filming the tadpole shrimp eggs hatching.

Triops longicaudatus

This episode premieres next Tuesday, October 12, but Patreon supporters will get a sneak peek this Friday!

Photo credits: Josh Cassidy/KQED.