Oct 8, 2023
Uncharismatic Fact of the Day
Brine shrimp don't monkey around! When members of the genus Artemia encounter extreme conditions such as low oxygen or high salinity, females may lay eggs that are metabolically inactive. These eggs, also known as cysts, may remain in stasis for up to two years, and withstand temperatures as low as −190 °C (−310 °F)! This trait makes brine shrimp a popular commodity for the pet trade, where they are sold as 'sea monkeys'.
(Image: A female (left) and male(right) brine shrimp couple (Artemia salina) by Hans Hillewaert via Wikimedia Commons)
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